116th CONGRESS 1st Session |
To enable registered apprenticeship programs to better serve veterans, and for other purposes.
March 12, 2019
Mr. Peters (for himself and Mrs. Capito) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
To enable registered apprenticeship programs to better serve veterans, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
This Act may be cited as the “Support for Veterans in Effective Apprenticeships Act of 2019”.
SEC. 2. Improved apprenticeship program coordination between the Department of Labor and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(a) Definition of registered apprenticeship program.—In this Act, the term “registered apprenticeship program” means an apprenticeship program registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (50 Stat. 664; commonly referred to as the “National Apprenticeship Act”).
(b) Additional registered apprenticeship program requirements.—The Secretary of Labor shall amend the rules and procedures regarding registered apprenticeship programs to include the following requirements:
(1) Each sponsor of a program applying to be a registered apprenticeship program shall provide a written assurance to the Secretary that, upon the program's approval as a registered apprenticeship program, the sponsor will—
(A) complete, for each program location, all enrollment requirements to obtain approval under chapters 30 through 36 of title 38, United States Code, to allow individuals eligible for educational assistance available under such chapters to use such assistance for the registered apprenticeship program, including the requirement of designating a Certifying Official; and
(B) agree to record and maintain the records concerning the registered apprenticeship program required in order for individuals eligible for educational assistance under title 38, United States Code, to use such assistance for enrollment in the registered apprenticeship program.
(2) (A) To the extent practicable, a registered apprenticeship program shall grant advanced standing or credit, and provide increased wages commensurate to such standing or credit, for any individual eligible for educational assistance under title 38, United States Code, who—
(i) is enrolled in the registered apprenticeship program; and
(ii) (I) has a demonstrated competency applicable to the apprenticeship occupation; or
(II) has acquired experience, training or skills through military service that is applicable to the apprenticeship occupation.
(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), in the case of a registered apprenticeship program that has preferential language for veterans already in the program's apprenticeship policies and standards as of the date of enactment of this Act, the registered apprenticeship program may continue awarding advanced standing or credit for veterans in accordance with such existing apprenticeship program policies and standards.
(3) When the Secretary of Labor initially approves a registered apprenticeship program, the Secretary shall provide a copy of the certificate of registration to—
(A) the State approving agency designated under chapter 36 of title 38, United States Code, for the State where the headquarters of the registered apprenticeship program's sponsor are located; and
(B) the State approving agency, as determined under the rules and procedures implementing the Act of August 16, 1937 (50 Stat. 664; commonly referred to as the “National Apprenticeship Act”), where the registered apprenticeship program is located.