Funding for GED programs approved

A bill that allocates funding to private entities offering high school equivalency programs was passed by the Legislature May 21.

LB382, introduced by Omaha Sen. Tanya Cook, provides grant funding to any entity, other than an educational institution, that runs a qualified high school equivalency training program.

It authorizes a transfer of $400,000 from the Job Training Cash Fund to support the grant program. The amount of grant funding will depend on the number of enrolled students.

Omaha’s Literacy Center of the Midlands currently is the only program that would be eligible for funding under the bill.

The bill passed on a 46-0 vote.