Connecticut 2016 Regular Session

Connecticut Senate Bill SB00215 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1		-	General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 215
2		-	February Session, 2016 _____SB00215PRI___030816____
	1	+	General Assembly Raised Bill No. 215
	2	+	February Session, 2016 LCO No. 1656
	3	+	01656_______PRI
	4	+	Referred to Committee on PROGRAM REVIEW AND INVESTIGATIONS
	5	+	Introduced by:
	6	+	(PRI)
3	7
4	8		General Assembly
5	9
6		-	~~Substitute~~ Bill No. 215
	10	+	Raised Bill No. 215
7	11
8	12		February Session, 2016
9	13
10		-	_____SB00215PRI___030816____
	14	+	LCO No. 1656
	15	+
	16	+	01656_______PRI
	17	+
	18	+	Referred to Committee on PROGRAM REVIEW AND INVESTIGATIONS
	19	+
	20	+	Introduced by:
	21	+
	22	+	(PRI)
11	23
12	24		AN ACT CONCERNING APPRENTICESHIP EXPANSION BASED ON A PROGRAM REVIEW AND INVESTIGATIONS COMMITTEE STUDY.
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14	26		Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
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16	28		Section 1. Section 31-22m of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2016):
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18	30		(a) When used in sections 31-22m to 31-22q, inclusive, [and] section 31-22u [, "apprentice"] and sections 5 and 6 of this act:
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20	32		(1) "Apprentice" means a person employed under a written agreement to work at and learn a specific trade; ["apprentice agreement"]
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22		-	(2) "Apprentice agreement" means a written agreement entered into by an apprentice, or on [his~~] such apprentice's~~ behalf by his ~~or her~~ parent or guardian, with an employer, or with an association of employers and an organization of employees acting as a joint apprenticeship committee; [, which agreement]
	34	+	(2) "Apprentice agreement" means a written agreement entered into by an apprentice, or on his behalf by his parent or guardian, with an employer, or with an association of employers and an organization of employees acting as a joint apprenticeship committee; [, which agreement]
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24	36		(3) "Apprenticeship" means an arrangement that (A) is formalized by an apprentice agreement; (B) provides for [not less than two thousand hours of] work experience in approved trade training; [consistent with recognized requirements established by industry or joint labor-industry practice and] (C) provides for the number of hours of related and supplemental instructions prescribed by the Connecticut State Apprenticeship Council; [or which agreement meets requirements of the federal government for on-the-job training schedules which are] and (D) is essential, in the opinion of the Labor Commissioner, for the development of manpower in Connecticut industries; ["council"]
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26		-	(4) "Approved trade training" means a period of not less than two thousand hours of work experience in a particular trade that is consistent with recognized requirements established by ~~industry or joint labor-industry practice that are adopted by~~ the Labor Department; and
	38	+	(4) "Approved trade training" means a period of not less than two thousand hours of work experience in a particular trade that is consistent with recognized requirements established by the Labor Department; and
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28	40		(5) "Council" means the Connecticut State Apprenticeship Council.
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30	42		Sec. 2. Section 31-22o of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2016):
31	43
32		-	The council may adopt recommendations for minimum standards of apprenticeship and for related and supplementary instruction, encourage registration and approval of apprentice agreements, [and training programs,] and issue certificates of completion upon the verification by employers or joint apprenticeship committees of the satisfactory completion of the term of apprenticeship. The council shall formulate policies for the effective administration of sections 31-22m to 31-22q, inclusive, as amended by this act, and ~~section~~ 31-22u. Such policies by the council shall not invalidate any apprenticeship provision in any collective bargaining agreement between employers and employees. All apprentice programs adopted and registered with the council under said sections shall be on a voluntary basis and shall be installed for the purpose of developing skilled workers for the service trades and industries of Connecticut.
	44	+	The council may adopt recommendations for minimum standards of apprenticeship and for related and supplementary instruction, encourage registration and approval of apprentice agreements, [and training programs,] and issue certificates of completion upon the verification by employers or joint apprenticeship committees of the satisfactory completion of the term of apprenticeship. The council shall formulate policies for the effective administration of sections 31-22m to 31-22q, inclusive, as amended by this act, and 31-22u. Such policies by the council shall not invalidate any apprenticeship provision in any collective bargaining agreement between employers and employees. All apprentice programs adopted and registered with the council under said sections shall be on a voluntary basis and shall be installed for the purpose of developing skilled workers for the service trades and industries of Connecticut.
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34	46		Sec. 3. Section 31-22p of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2016):
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36	48		The Labor Commissioner, with the advice and guidance of the council, shall formulate [work training] approved trade training standards which will ensure necessary safeguards for the welfare of apprentices and a full craft experience in any skill, in order to provide equal opportunities to all, without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, age or national origin, and to provide training, employment and upgrading opportunities for disadvantaged workers to acquire a comprehensive skilled work experience and to extend the application of such standards of skill training by inclusion thereof in [apprenticeship] apprentice agreements, and shall bring together representatives of management and labor for the development of training programs and terms of apprenticeship incidental thereto and cooperate with state and federal agencies similarly interested in furtherance of training requirements in keeping with established and new processes of Connecticut industries. The Labor Commissioner shall publish information relating to existing and proposed work standards of apprenticeship, hold area conferences throughout the state for the purpose of promoting interest in skilled trades training and appoint such advisory committees as may be deemed necessary to evaluate the skilled manpower requirements of Connecticut in order to cope with any new technological changes in industry.
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38	50		Sec. 4. Section 31-22q of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2016):
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40		-	(a) To assist in the administration of sections 31-22m to 31-22q, inclusive, as amended by this act, and ~~section~~ 31-22u, there shall continue to be maintained in the Labor Department a program of apprentice training. The Labor Commissioner is authorized to appoint, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 67, such personnel as may be necessary for effective administration of said sections.
	52	+	(a) To assist in the administration of sections 31-22m to 31-22q, inclusive, as amended by this act, and 31-22u, there shall continue to be maintained in the Labor Department a program of apprentice training. The Labor Commissioner is authorized to appoint, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 67, such personnel as may be necessary for effective administration of said sections.
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42		-	(b) Not later than January 1, 2015, and annually thereafter, the Labor Department shall develop or approve an informational campaign to distribute to Workforce Investment Boards, CTWorks One-Stop Career Centers and similar job centers within the state. The informational campaign shall include a description of the program of [apprentice training] apprenticeship maintained in the department and shall address common misperceptions regarding such program and the various opportunities and benefits that apprenticeship [training] may provide for unemployed individuals within the state.
	54	+	(b) Not later than January 1, 2015, and annually thereafter, the Labor Department shall develop or approve an informational campaign to distribute to Workforce Investment Boards, CTWorks One-Stop Career Centers and similar job centers within the state. The informational campaign shall include a description of the program of [apprentice training] apprenticeship maintained in the department and shall address common misperceptions regarding such program and the various opportunities and benefits that [apprenticeship training] apprenticeship may provide for unemployed individuals within the state.
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44		-	Sec. 5. (NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) Not later than July 1, 2017, the Labor Department shall (1) offer ~~apprenticeships~~ in all licensed occupations that meet the minimum on-the-job training and coursework requirements for apprenticeships; and (2) conduct a public outreach and education campaign to encourage employers in such licensed occupations to sponsor apprentices.
	56	+	Sec. 5. (NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) Not later than July 1, 2017, the Labor Department shall (1) offer apprenticeship in all licensed occupations that meet the minimum on-the-job training and coursework requirements for apprenticeships; and (2) conduct a public outreach and education campaign to encourage employers in such licensed occupations to sponsor apprentices.
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46		-	(b) The Labor Department shall explore the feasibility of creating an employment trainee office capable of registering trainees for participation in licensed occupations that require training but do not offer ~~apprenticeships~~. Such office shall collaborate with the Labor Department's office of apprenticeship training to provide comprehensive information regarding opportunities for training, including, but not limited to: (1) The process by which current and prospective trainees may access information relating to such training opportunities on the department's Internet web site; and (2) an accurate list of each occupation that accepts trainees within the state and the number of trainees participating in each occupation within the previous calendar year.
	58	+	(b) The Labor Department shall explore the feasibility of creating an employment trainee office capable of registering trainees for participation in licensed occupations that require training but do not offer apprenticeship. Such office shall collaborate with the Labor Department's office of apprenticeship training to provide comprehensive information regarding opportunities for training, including, but not limited to: (1) The process by which current and prospective trainees may access information relating to such training opportunities on the department's Internet web site; and (2) an accurate list of each occupation that accepts trainees within the state and the number of trainees participating in each occupation within the previous calendar year.
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48		-	Sec. 6. (NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) Not later than July 1, 2016, the Labor Commissioner shall identify the ~~manufacturing~~ occupations that employ apprentices in the state.
	60	+	Sec. 6. (NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) Not later than July 1, 2016, the Labor Commissioner shall identify the ten licensed and the ten unlicensed occupations that employ the most apprentices in the state.
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50		-	(b) (1) ~~Not later than October 1,~~ ~~2016~~, the Labor Commissioner shall convene a working group consisting of ~~representatives from the manufacturing occupations identified pursuant to subsection~~ (a) ~~of this section~~, ~~including~~, ~~but not limited to~~, not less than six employers or joint labor-management training programs in the state, not less than three of which shall employ members of a labor union and not less than three of which shall not employ members of a labor union.
	62	+	(b) (1) For each occupation identified pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, the Labor Commissioner shall convene a working group consisting of (A) for each licensed occupation, one or more licensing board members for such occupation, and (B) for each licensed and unlicensed occupation, representatives from not less than six employers or joint labor-management training programs in the state, not less than three of which shall employ members of a labor union and not less than three of which shall not employ members of a labor union.
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52		-	(2) Not later than July 1, 2017, ~~the~~ working group convened by the Labor Commissioner pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection shall develop approved trade training requirements that shall include not less than two of the following: A time-based approach, competency-based approach or hybrid approach, as described in 29 CFR 29.5 (b) (i) to (iii), inclusive.
	64	+	(2) Not later than July 1, 2017, each working group convened by the Labor Commissioner pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection shall develop approved trade training requirements that shall include not less than two of the following: A time-based approach, competency-based approach or hybrid approach, as described in 29 CFR 29.5 (b) (i) to (iii), inclusive.
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54		-	(3) Not later than October 1, 2017, the Connecticut State Apprenticeship Council shall review the approved trade training requirements developed pursuant to subdivision (2) of this subsection and shall provide recommendations for any modifications to ~~such approved trade training requirements to~~ the Labor Commissioner.
	66	+	(3) Not later than October 1, 2017, the Connecticut State Apprenticeship Council shall review the approved trade training requirements developed pursuant to subdivision (2) of this subsection and shall provide recommendations for any modifications to the Labor Commissioner.
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56	68		(4) Not later than December 1, 2017, the commissioner shall approve and implement the approved trade training requirements provided by the council pursuant to subdivision (3) of this subsection. The Labor Commissioner may make additional modifications to such approved trade training requirements, provided such modifications are necessary for implementation pursuant to this subsection.
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58		-	(c) Not later than January 15, 2018, the Labor Commissioner shall review the general statutes and the regulations of public agencies to determine the revisions to such statutes or regulations that are necessary to offer approved trade training for apprentices that are consistent with the time-based approach, competency-based approach or hybrid approach, as described in 29 CFR 29.5 (b) (i) to (iii), inclusive, and shall submit such determinations, in accordance with section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint standing ~~committee~~ of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to labor.
	70	+	(c) Not later than January 15, 2018, the Labor Commissioner and the Commissioner of Consumer Protection shall review the general statutes and the regulations of public agencies to determine the revisions to such statutes or regulations that are necessary to offer approved trade training for apprentices that are consistent with the time-based approach, competency-based approach or hybrid approach, as described in 29 CFR 29.5 (b) (i) to (iii), inclusive, and shall submit such determinations, in accordance with section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to labor and consumer protection.
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60		-	(d) The Labor Commissioner shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 of the general statutes, as the ~~commissioner deems~~ necessary to implement the provisions of subsections (b) ~~and~~ (c) of this section.
	72	+	(d) The Labor Commissioner and the Commissioner of Consumer Protection shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 of the general statutes, as the commissioners deem necessary to implement the provisions of subsections (b) to (c), of this section.
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65	77		This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
66	78		Section 1 October 1, 2016 31-22m
67	79		Sec. 2 October 1, 2016 31-22o
68	80		Sec. 3 October 1, 2016 31-22p
69	81		Sec. 4 October 1, 2016 31-22q
70	82		Sec. 5 from passage New section
71	83		Sec. 6 from passage New section
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73	85		This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
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75	87		Section 1
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77	89		October 1, 2016
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79	91		31-22m
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81	93		Sec. 2
82	94
83	95		October 1, 2016
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85	97		31-22o
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87	99		Sec. 3
88	100
89	101		October 1, 2016
90	102
91	103		31-22p
92	104
93	105		Sec. 4
94	106
95	107		October 1, 2016
96	108
97	109		31-22q
98	110
99	111		Sec. 5
100	112
101	113		from passage
102	114
103	115		New section
104	116
105	117		Sec. 6
106	118
107	119		from passage
108	120
109	121		New section
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	123	+	Statement of Purpose:
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	125	+	To expand the Labor Department's oversight of apprenticeship programs and to implement various federal models of apprenticeship in order to provide more opportunities for individuals to satisfy apprenticeship requirements, as recommended by the Program Review and Investigations Committee.
112	126
113		-	PRI Joint Favorable Subst.
114		-
115		-	PRI
116		-
117		-	Joint Favorable Subst.
	127	+	[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not underlined.]