SECTION 1. Chapter 62 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 6N the following section:-

Section 6O. (a) A qualifying employer that is not a business corporation subject to the excise under chapter 63 shall be allowed a credit against the tax liability imposed by this chapter equal to 100 per cent of the money it expended for the high school trade partnership program, established in section 5C of chapter 74, in a taxable year, with a maximum credit of $100,000 per qualifying employer in any 1 taxable year.

SECTION 2. Chapter 63 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 31N the following section:-

Section 31O. (a) A qualifying business corporation engaged in business in the commonwealth shall be allowed a credit against its excise due under this chapter in an amount equal to 100 per cent of the money it expended for the high school trade partnership program, established in section 5C of chapter 74, in a taxable year, with a maximum credit of $100,000 per business corporation in any 1 taxable year.

SECTION 3. Chapter 74 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 5B the following section:-

Section 5C. (a) The department shall establish a high school trade partnership program to allow public high schools to partner with local private employers for the purposes of providing students with vocational-technical education and apprentice opportunities. The program shall include academic and vocational credit for at school and on-site instruction and training.

(b)The department shall promulgate regulations to establish the minimum requirements for the program, including: (i) criteria for participation by private employers; (ii) minimum academic requirements for participating students; (iii) minimum onsite supervision and safety standards; and (iv) English language learner assistance.

(c) A school committee may submit an application to the department of elementary and secondary education for the participation of a public high school in the program.

(d) Each school district or municipality participating in the program shall appoint an advisory committee, pursuant to section 6. The advisory committee shall evaluate and approve applications for participation in the program submitted by students and private employers.