S-1517.2 _______________________________________________
SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5589
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State of Washington 56th Legislature 1999 Regular Session
By Senate Committee on Labor & Workforce Development (originally sponsored by Senators Fairley and Kohl‑Welles)
Read first time 02/25/1999.
AN ACT Relating to creating an apprenticeship assistance program; adding new sections to chapter 49.04 RCW; and making appropriations.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 49.04 RCW to read as follows:
The legislature finds that apprenticeship programs offer individuals valuable training in high-skilled occupations and prepare people for family wage jobs. The legislature further finds that many industries in the state are experiencing a shortage of skilled labor, shortages they are attempting to meet through apprenticeship programs, but that entry into apprenticeship programs is difficult for low-income individuals because of enrollment fees, tool expenses, and other costs associated with training and transportation. The legislature intends to assist low-income individuals, particularly recipients of temporary assistance for needy families, by establishing a program to cover costs associated with entering high-demand apprenticeship programs.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 49.04 RCW to read as follows:
There is created in the department of labor and industries an apprenticeship assistance program. The program shall be administered by the supervisor of apprenticeship. In administering the program the supervisor shall:
(1) Award grants to low-income individuals who have been accepted into a state approved apprenticeship program. The grants may be used to cover enrollment fees, purchase of necessary tools and training materials, and transportation and child-care costs;
(2) Encourage entry by low-income individuals into apprenticeship programs in industries experiencing shortages of skilled labor;
(3) Ensure that the awarding of grants results in a net increase in the number of low-income individuals and in temporary assistance for needy families recipients entering apprenticeship programs;
(4) Adopt necessary rules and guidelines; and
(5) Solicit and accept grants and donations from public and private sources for the program.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 49.04 RCW to read as follows:
The department of social and health services shall:
(1) Work with the supervisor of apprenticeship to encourage recipients of temporary assistance for needy families to enter apprenticeships or preapprenticeship training and apply for assistance from the program established under section 2 of this act; and
(2) Ensure that no department rule prevents recipients of temporary assistance for needy families from entering apprenticeships or preapprenticeship training or from receiving assistance from the program established under section 2 of this act.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The sum of five hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the general fund to the department of labor and industries for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2000, to carry out the purposes of this act. The sum of five hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the general fund to the department of labor and industries for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2001, to carry out the purposes of this act.
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