APPRENTICE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Creates the Apprentice Assistance and Support Services Pilot Program Act. Provides that the Department of Labor shall develop a 5 year Apprentice Assistance and Support Services Pilot Program. Specifies that the Pilot Program shall provide transportation assistance and a child care subsidy to eligible individuals participating in a qualified apprenticeship. Provides that no later than January 1, 2028, the Department shall submit to the Governor and the General Assembly a report that evaluates the results of the Pilot Program and its effectiveness in assisting Program participants in entering the workforce or in obtaining better employment. Provides for the adoption of rules. Repeals Act on January 1, 2029. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes: Changes the name to the Act to the Job Training Assistance and Support Services Pilot Program Act. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (rather than the Department of Labor) shall develop the Pilot Program. Provides that the Department shall award grants to organizations to distribute subsidies to qualifying individuals. Provides that to be eligible for assistance under the Pilot Program, an individual is required to participate in a registered apprenticeship program, pre-apprenticeship program as defined by the United States Department of Labor, or work-based learning programs, such as an internship, paid work experience, transitional jobs training, on-the-job training, or incumbent worker programs administered by the Department. Provides that the assistance provided by the Pilot Program may include funds for transportation, child care, housing-related expenses, including, but not limited to, rent and utilities, transportation, child care, digital technology needs, education needs, mental health services, substance abuse services, income support, and work-related supplies that are not typically covered by programmatic supportive services.