The Kentucky Merit-Based Education & Workforce Reform Act (KY-MEWRA)

Kentucky state companion to MEWRA. Builds on the Kentucky public charter framework (KRS Sec. 160.1590 et seq.), SEEK funding (KRS Sec. 157.310 et seq.), and KCTCS / Education and Labor Cabinet workforce programs.

THE KENTUCKY MERIT-BASED EDUCATION & WORKFORCE REFORM ACT (KY-MEWRA)

Vehicle: State passage. Kentucky General Assembly, regular session. Primary referral to House / Senate Education.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE

This Act may be cited as the “Kentucky Merit-Based Education & Workforce Reform Act (KY-MEWRA).”

SECTION 2. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT

The General Assembly finds that Kentucky authorizes public charter schools under KRS Sec. 160.1590 et seq.; that the Support Education Excellence in Kentucky (SEEK) funding program operates under KRS Sec. 157.310 et seq.; that the Kentucky Department of Education publishes the Kentucky School Report Card; that the Education and Labor Cabinet operates the Kentucky Career Center system under KRS Ch. 151B; and that the Kentucky Board of Education operates under KRS Ch. 156. This Act extends these frameworks to provide an outcome-based alternative-school pathway, in recognition that Kentucky does not currently operate a general ESA or tax-credit scholarship.

TITLE I — DEFINITIONS & COORDINATION WITH KENTUCKY LAW

Sec. 101. Definitions

(a) “Kentucky outcome-based school” means a provisional school authorized under Title II by the Kentucky Outcome-Based School Authorizer (“KY-OBSA”).
(b) “SEEK” means Support Education Excellence in Kentucky under KRS Sec. 157.310 et seq.
(c) “ELC” means the Education and Labor Cabinet.

Sec. 102. Coordination with Existing Kentucky Law

(a) Consistent with:

KRS Sec. 160.1590 et seq. (charter schools).
KRS Sec. 157.310 et seq. (SEEK).
KRS Ch. 151B (Education and Labor Cabinet).

TITLE II — KENTUCKY OUTCOME-BASED SCHOOL AUTHORIZER

Sec. 201. Establishment of KY-OBSA

(a) The Kentucky Board of Education shall designate a Kentucky Outcome-Based School Authorizer (“KY-OBSA”) under KRS Sec. 160.1590 et seq. as a public-charter authorizer.
(b) KY-OBSA shall authorize provisional schools without requiring regional-accreditor accreditation.

Sec. 202. Outcome-Based Authorization Standard

(a) Authorization requires publication of outcome metrics under Sec. 401.
(b) Facilities, safety, and background-check standards applicable under KRS Title XIII.
(c) Four-year term, renewable on thresholds.

TITLE III — EDUCATION-FUND PORTABILITY

Sec. 301. SEEK Funding

(a) A Title II-authorized school operating as a public charter under KRS Sec. 160.1590 et seq. is entitled to per-pupil SEEK funding under KRS Sec. 157.310 et seq. on the same terms as other public charters.

Sec. 302. Workforce Disbursements

(a) ELC shall ensure that within 24 months, at least 50 percent of WIOA-aligned workforce-program disbursements flow to providers publishing outcome data in the KY-OBSA Registry or Federal NLMF.

TITLE IV — PUBLISHED OUTCOME METRICS

Sec. 401. Kentucky Outcome-Metrics Registry

(a) KY-OBSA shall publish completion rate; one- and three-year earnings medians; licensure/KYRMC/FRAC attainment.
(b) Data sources: Kentucky Center for Statistics and Office of Employment and Training wage records.

Sec. 402. Coordination with the Federal NLMF

(a) Crosswalked to the Federal NLMF.
(b) Nothing authorizes disclosure of PII except as permitted under KRS Ch. 61.870 et seq. (Open Records) and FERPA.

TITLE V — ENFORCEMENT & REMEDIES

Sec. 501. Non-Compliant Provider Remedies

(a) Suspension of SEEK-eligible status; KY-OBSA Registry suspension; administrative penalty up to $500,000 per willful violation.
(b) No private right of action.

TITLE VI — IMPLEMENTATION & GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 601. Severability

If any provision is held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect the remainder.

Sec. 602. Effective Date

This Act shall take effect July 1 of the year following enactment.

Canonical federal version: MEWRA. Other Kentucky bills: KY-ACSA, KY-GT&P, KY-AI-Workforce.