2021 -- H 6069

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION (SEE TITLE 16

CHAPTER 97--THE RHODE ISLAND BOARD OF EDUCATION ACT)

     Introduced By: Representatives Williams, Alzate, Noret, Morales, Henries, Biah, Slater,
Casey, Edwards, and Hull

     Date Introduced: March 03, 2021

     Referred To: House Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-45.1 of the General Laws entitled "Career and Technical

Education [See Title 16 Chapter 97 - The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following section:

     16-45.1-4. Legislative apprenticeship training and technical education commission

established.

     (a) There is hereby established a special joint legislative study commission on

apprenticeship training and technical education. Said apprenticeship training and technical

education commission shall consist of twelve (12) members: six (6) members shall be members of

the house representatives appointed by the speaker of the house, not more than five (5) of whom

shall be from the same political party; six (6) members shall be members of the senate appointed

by the president of the senate, not more than five (5) of whom shall be from the same political

party.

     (b) The purpose of the apprenticeship training and technical education commission shall

be to make a comprehensive examination of the issues relating to the governance, financing, and

operation of the system of apprenticeship training and technical education in Rhode Island. The

focus of the apprenticeship training and technical education commission shall include, but not be

limited to, the following: to promote Rhode Island's education and economic development by

providing guidance for the development of a statewide system for apprenticeship training and

technical education, utilizing effective and proven apprenticeship training and technical education

delivery models; implementing an effective system of governance, including protection for the

student rights of those students interested in engaging in apprenticeship training and technical

education; financing and maintaining state of the art equipment, facilities, and programming,

including ensuring student access to the same across the district and geographic boundaries; and

strengthening apprenticeship training and technical education programming designed to meet the

labor needs of Rhode Island business and industry, as well as to support and advance Rhode Island's

economy.

     (c) The commission shall collaborate with the commissioner of elementary and secondary

education and identify:

     (1) Potential pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship training program integration; and

     (2) Establish recommendations for leveraging of funding for apprenticeship training and

technical education programs within high schools and programs within higher education

institutions for careers in various industries.

     (d) The commission shall identify potential programs, procedures and legislative proposals

to promote equality in apprenticeship training and technical education programs to include, but not

limited to, affirmative action and prohibitions in the discrimination for recruitment, selection,

employment and training of apprentices and participants in technical education programs.

     (e) The members of the commission shall meet at the call of the speaker of the house and

president of the senate and organize and shall select, from among the legislators, a chairperson.

     (f) The members of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services.

     (g) All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information,

documentary, and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or desirable

by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this act.

     (h) The joint commission on legislative services is hereby authorized and directed to

provide suitable quarters for said commission.

     (i) The commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the general assembly

no later than February 1, 2022, and said commission shall expire on June 30, 2022.

     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 -- CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION (SEE TITLE 16

CHAPTER 97--THE RHODE ISLAND BOARD OF EDUCATION ACT)

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     This act would establish the legislative apprenticeship and technical education

commission. The commission would study the operation and financing of apprenticeship training

and technical education in the state. The commission would report its findings by February 1, 2022,

and would expire on June 30, 2022.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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