2022 -- S 2287 | |
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LC004355 | |
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022 | |
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A N A C T | |
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- APPRENTICESHIP PATHWAYS TO EARNING A | |
BACHELOR'S DEGREE ACT | |
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Introduced By: Senators Gallo, Lombardo, Valverde, Pearson, and Goodwin | |
Date Introduced: February 15, 2022 | |
Referred To: Senate Education | |
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: | |
1 | SECTION 1. Title 16 of the General Laws entitled "EDUCATION" is hereby amended by |
2 | adding thereto the following chapter: |
3 | CHAPTER 112 |
4 | APPRENTICESHIP PATHWAYS TO EARNING A BACHELOR'S DEGREE ACT |
5 | 16-112-1. Short title. |
6 | This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Apprenticeship Pathways to Earning |
7 | a Bachelor’s Degree Act.” |
8 | 16-112-2. Definitions. |
9 | As used in this section: |
10 | (1) “Board” means the board of education. |
11 | (2) “Degree apprenticeship” means an apprenticeship program that meets the standards |
12 | established in the National Apprenticeship Act 29 CFR Part 29 and the requirements of a |
13 | postsecondary degree program as established by the relevant state education agency in the state |
14 | where the program is delivered. |
15 | (3) “Student-apprentice” means a student or apprentice who meets the definition of |
16 | “regular student,” as defined by the Higher Education Act, 34 CFR Part 600.2, and “apprentice” as |
17 | defined by the National Apprenticeship Act, 29 CFR Part 29.2. |
18 | 16-112-3. Implementation. |
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1 | (a) The board of education shall adopt policies or regulations establishing nontraditional |
2 | pathways to earning a bachelor’s degree at state public higher education institutions in the state |
3 | through the inclusion of credits earned through apprenticeships. |
4 | (b) The board shall convene a workgroup, including, but not limited to, representatives |
5 | from the department of labor and training, the office of the postsecondary commissioner, public |
6 | higher education institutions, the state apprenticeship council, and the construction trades. The |
7 | purpose of the workgroup is to consider and advise the board in the development of degree |
8 | apprenticeship policies or regulations for nontraditional pathways to earning a bachelor’s degree. |
9 | The policies or regulations shall include, but not be limited to: |
10 | (1) The subject areas in which a student-apprentice may earn a bachelor's degree through |
11 | a nontraditional pathway, with a greater priority given to subject areas that have both a low |
12 | completion rate and a hiring need by employers existing in the state; |
13 | (2) The form and manner in which apprenticeships may be registered with the department |
14 | of labor and training and the board of education for inclusion in a nontraditional pathway to earning |
15 | a bachelor's degree, including through public-private partnerships or an application process; |
16 | (3) The minimum requirements that apprenticeships in each subject area shall meet to be |
17 | registered as an apprenticeship with the department of labor and training and the board of education; |
18 | (4) The number of credits a student may earn through a registered apprenticeship in each |
19 | subject area; |
20 | (5) The development of clear guidelines distinguishing credit-bearing and non-credit- |
21 | bearing courses including, but not limited to, standardizing the process of assigning credit to |
22 | courses; and |
23 | (6) The requirements for successful completion of a registered apprenticeship in each |
24 | subject area, including, but not limited to, the minimum number of hours of work and the level of |
25 | demonstrated proficiency required in the subject area. |
26 | 16-112-4. Reporting. |
27 | The board shall provide the governor, the president of the senate, and the speaker of the |
28 | house of representatives an implementation plan for the apprenticeship pathways to earning a |
29 | bachelor’s degree act, which shall include a start date of August 1, 2023. Such plan shall be |
30 | presented no later than January 1, 2023. The board may create additional reporting requirements to |
31 | focus on data collection for the purposes of program progress, goals, and participation. |
32 | SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. |
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EXPLANATION | |
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL | |
OF | |
A N A C T | |
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- APPRENTICESHIP PATHWAYS TO EARNING A | |
BACHELOR'S DEGREE ACT | |
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1 | This act would create the Apprenticeship Pathways to Earning a Bachelor’s Degree Act, to |
2 | enable an individual to earn a bachelor’s degree at public higher education institutions throughout |
3 | the state by earning credits through apprenticeships. |
4 | This act would take effect upon passage. |
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