2024 -- S 2283

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LC004761

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- GOVERNOR'S WORKFORCE

BOARD RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Senators Zurier, Bissaillon, Raptakis, and DiPalma

     Date Introduced: February 12, 2024

     Referred To: Senate Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 42-102 of the General Laws entitled "Governor’s Workforce Board

Rhode Island" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     42-102-14. Civic apprenticeship program.

     (a) The workforce board ("board") shall establish a civic apprenticeship program for state

departments ("department") pursuant to § 42-6-l. For the purposes of this section, civic

apprenticeship shall mean a one-year, paid work experience at a state department that provides a

meaningful learning opportunity and increases the employability of the participant.

     (b) The programs shall be designed to provide recent Rhode Island public and private high

school graduates with meaningful work experience at a department.

     (c) Commencing January 1, 2026, the board shall open the program to no more than twenty

(20) participants. Upon completion of the initial program year and each subsequent year thereafter

the board shall conduct a review of applicants and current enrollment. If the number of qualified

applicants surpasses the allowed number of participants and the board determines the program can

handle additional participants the board may increase the number of program participants.

     (d) The board shall develop an application that students must complete to be considered

for the program.

     (e) Students will be eligible to apply for the program at the beginning of twelfth grade.

Those accepted to the program will be placed in their jobs upon graduation or at the end of the post­

graduation summer.

     (f) Students participating in the civic apprenticeship program shall be assigned to positions

experiencing staffing declines or those considered essential to the operation of the department.

     (g) For any position requiring completion of certifications or training programs,

departments shall provide access to these programs at no cost to the participant.

     (h) The state shall fund the program through an annual appropriation from general revenue.

This appropriation shall be adjusted annually to account for changes to the minimum wage and

program participation.

     (i) Those participating in the civic apprenticeship program shall not be counted towards the

full­time equivalent of the department.

     (j) The board shall coordinate with departments to identify available positions and maintain

a comprehensive list of all available positions. The positions shall be posted online and accessible

on the state employment website, the board website, the department of labor and training jobs

seeker page, and participating department websites.

     (k) The board may coordinate with the Rhode Island department of education on the

development of program brochures and distribution to the state's high schools.

     (l) In order to fully implement the provisions of this section, the board is authorized to

promulgate rules and regulations.

     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 STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- GOVERNOR'S WORKFORCE

BOARD RHODE ISLAND

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     This act would create a civic apprenticeship program for recent Rhode Island high school

graduates to gain work experience working in Rhode Island state departments.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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