SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5236

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Reported by Senate Committee On:

Labor & Commerce, January 28, 2019

Title: An act relating to encouraging apprenticeships.

Brief Description: Encouraging apprenticeships.

Sponsors: Senators Keiser, Conway, Wellman, Braun, Saldaña, Hasegawa, Wilson, C., Kuderer, Takko, Das and Frockt.

Committee Activity: Labor & Commerce: 1/24/19, 1/28/19 [DPS-WM, w/oRec].

Brief Summary of First Substitute Bill

Requires the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) to employ a coordinator to do outreach and assist in establishing apprenticeship programs where they do not exist in state government, public education, and the health care industry.
Requires the Office of Financial Management, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the Department of Health to work with the coordinator employed by L&I to do outreach and assist in establishing apprenticeship programs.
Adds hours of work and instruction as a registered apprentice to the definition of prior learning for the purposes of the Academic Credit for Prior Learning Work Group.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR & COMMERCE

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5236 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

Signed by Senators Keiser, Chair; Conway, Vice Chair; Saldaña and Wellman.

Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.

Signed by Senators King, Ranking Member; Braun.

Staff: Jarrett Sacks (786-7448)

Background: Apprenticeship Programs. Apprenticeship programs enable individuals to learn trades and occupations through on-the-job training and related supplemental instruction. The Washington State Apprenticeship Training Council (WSATC), which is part of the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I), establishes standards for apprenticeship programs and approves training programs. Standards set by WSATC address the allowable ratios of apprentice to journey-level workers and the type of work apprentices may do. An employer may partner with an approved apprenticeship program or develop its own, subject to approval by WSATC.

The supervisor of apprenticeship is appointed by the director of L&I. The supervisor's duties include:

encouraging and promoting apprenticeship programs that conform to state and federal standards;
acting as secretary of WSATC;
registering, keeping record of, and terminating apprenticeship agreements; and
issuing certificates of completion of apprenticeships.

Academic Credit for Prior Learning Work Group. The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) provides strategic planning, oversight, and program administration to support increased student success and higher levels of educational attainment in Washington State.

In 2012, the Legislature directed the WSAC to convene an Academic Credit for Prior Learning Work Group (ACPL Work Group) and give an annual report on progress towards providing opportunities for students to receive academic credit for prior learning experiences.

For the purposes of the ACPL Work Group, prior learning means the knowledge and skills gained through work and life experience, through military training and experience, and through formal and informal education and training from in-state and out-of-state institutions including foreign institutions.

Summary of Bill (First Substitute): Subject to appropriation, L&I, through the supervisor of apprenticeship, must employ a coordinator to do outreach and assist in establishing registered apprenticeship programs where they do not exist in state government, public education, and the health care industry.

The following entities must work with the coordinator employed by L&I to do outreach and assist in establishing apprenticeship and training programs:

the Office of Financial Management for apprenticeship and training programs in state government;
the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction for apprenticeship and training programs in public education; and
the Department of Health and health professional associations for apprenticeship and training programs in the health care industry.

For the purposes of the ACPL Work Group, hours of work and instruction as a registered apprentice is added to the definition of prior learning. Two representatives from licensed health care professions are added to the ACPL Work Group.

The due date of the ACPL Work Group's annual report is changed from December 31st to December 10th.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY LABOR & COMMERCE COMMITTEE (First Substitute): Health professional associations are added to the entities the Department of Health and the coordinator at L&I must work with to establish apprenticeship programs. Two representatives from licensed health care professions are added to the ACPL Work Group.

Appropriation: The bill contains a section or sections to limit implementation to the availability of amounts appropriated for that specific purpose.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 16, 2019.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill: The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard. PRO: There have been a couple successful pilot projects in public schools and the health care industry and this bill is trying to expand upon that success. Apprenticeships work because they allow people to earn money while they learn and get training. The programs can allow people currently with occupations to move up the ladder. For example, Highline's paraeducator program allowed people to eventually become certified teachers. Credentialing acts as a barrier sometimes, so the goal is to help remove those barriers.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Karen Keiser, Prime Sponsor.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.