(a) For purposes of this section:

(1) “Auxiliary expenses” means basic living expenses or supplies necessary for the eligible program or employment upon completion of the eligible program.

(2) “Eligible employer” means a person who has under 51 employees and a physical location in Delaware.

(3) “Eligible program” means a noncredit certificate program approved under subsection (d) of this section for Elevate Delaware.

(b) (1) This section establishes Elevate Delaware within the Division of Employment and Training. Elevate Delaware provides tuition for an eligible individual to attend an approved noncredit certificate program that provides industry-accepted skill training and certification.

(2) Elevate Delaware is intended to do all of the following:

a. Preserve jobs for Delaware residents and small businesses.

b. Assist Delaware residents who need skills for promotion or to obtain higher paid employment.

c. Assist small businesses in Delaware who need employees that have obtained certification for specific skills.

(3) The Department of Labor may recoup the amount of Elevate Delaware payments made on behalf of an individual if an individual or employer acts in bad faith when providing the proof for eligibility under subsection (c) of this section.

(c) An individual must provide proof of all of the following to be eligible for Elevate Delaware:

(1) The individual is employed by a person who employs under 51 employees.

(2) The individual has been accepted for enrollment in an eligible program.

(3) a. At the time of enrollment, the individual is subject to Delaware income tax, either as a resident of Delaware or an employee of an eligible employer.

b. If an individual is not a Delaware resident and is eligible as an employee of an eligible employer, both of the following:

1. A statement from the individual’s employer that the employer intends to retain the individual as an employee for at least 1 year following the individual’s completion of the eligible program.

2. A statement from the individual that the individual intends to work in Delaware for at least 1 year following the individual’s completion of the eligible program.

(4) A statement that provides the amount of financial assistance, if any, the individual will receive towards attending the eligible program, from all of the following:

a. The individual’s employer.

b. The eligible program.

(d) (1) The Workforce Development Board, or its successor, shall maintain a list of noncredit certificate programs approved as eligible programs for Elevate Delaware.

a. The Workforce Development Board may utilize the Eligible Training Provider List for all, or part, of the certificate programs approved as eligible programs.

b. The list of eligible programs must be updated annually.

(2) The Workforce Development Board must consider all of the following when deciding which noncredit certificate programs are eligible or priorities for Elevate Delaware:

a. The skill requirements of employers in the State, including the skill needs of an in-demand industry sector or occupation in the State,

b. That Elevate Delaware supports individuals and employers throughout the State, based upon the population of each county.

(e) (1) Elevate Delaware may make a tuition payment to an eligible program, on behalf of an eligible individual, of not more than $10,000.

(2) The Elevate Delaware tuition payment cannot exceed the difference between the full amount of tuition charged by the eligible program and any financial assistance the individual received.

(f) (1) The Department of Labor may provide Elevate Delaware payments to individuals for whom an Elevate Delaware tuition payment is made, to assist with auxiliary expenses while the individual attends the eligible program and for no more than 90 days following completion of the eligible program.

(2) The amount that an individual receives for auxiliary expenses may not exceed the difference between the amount of the tuition payment that the individual receives and the maximum reimbursement amount under paragraph (e)(1) of this section.

(g) (1) Elevate Delaware payments must be paid on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible individuals based upon the priorities established by the Workforce Development Board.

(2) Elevate Delaware is subject to the availability of funds appropriated for this specific purpose.

(3) This section does not create a right or entitlement in an individual to receive a payment under this section.

(h) The Department of Labor may adopt policies and procedures to implement this section.

83 Del. Laws, c. 244, § 1;