"NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that direct-entry apprenticeship programs can be very beneficial to both students and employers. However, there is also concern that apprenticeship programs may reduce the number of students who enroll in traditional cosmetology school. The advisory committee is to update the legislature on the program with an updated final report by December 31, 2008, and is to include an evaluation of the effectiveness of the apprenticeship program, including but not limited to the number of apprentices who complete the program, the number of apprentices who take and pass the licensing examination, and a formal review of any impact the expansion of such an apprenticeship program may have on the enrollment of traditional cosmetology schools, including but not limited to whether the enrollment of traditional cosmetology schools is negatively impacted by the direct-entry apprenticeship programs.

Sec. 2   RCW 18.16.280 and 2003 c 400 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     A cosmetology apprenticeship pilot program is hereby created.
     (1) An advisory committee is created that may consist of representatives from individuals and businesses licensed under chapter 18.16 RCW; cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, and manicuring advisory board members; department of labor and industries; department of licensing; United States department of labor apprenticeship; and other interested parties.
     (a) The advisory committee shall meet to review progress of the cosmetology apprenticeship pilot program.
     (b) The department of labor and industries apprenticeship council shall coordinate the activities of the advisory committee. The advisory committee shall issue annual reports on the progress of the apprenticeship program to interested parties and shall issue a final report regarding the outcome of the apprenticeship program to be presented to the appropriate committees of the house of representatives and senate by December 31, 2005. The advisory committee shall submit an updated report, including an evaluation of the effectiveness of the apprenticeship program, to the appropriate committees of the house of representatives and senate by December 31, 2008.
     (2) Up to twenty salons approved by the department of labor and industries apprenticeship council may participate in the apprenticeship program. The participating salons shall proportionately represent the geographic diversity of Washington state, including rural and urban areas, and salons located in both eastern and western Washington.
     (3) The department of licensing shall adopt rules, including a mandatory requirement that apprentices complete in-classroom theory courses as a part of their training, to provide for the licensure of participants of the apprenticeship program.
     (4) The cosmetology apprenticeship pilot program expires July 1, ((2006)) 2008."