Labor & Employment (Child Labor)

LB 847 adopts Nebraska's Registered Apprenticeship Act, creating a state framework for structured training programs that require at least 2,000 hours of on-the-job learning plus related instruction. It establishes definitions for apprentices, sponsors, and programs, mandating written agreements between apprentices and employers and requiring registration with the Nebraska Office of Registered Apprenticeship. The bill also modifies tax rate provisions under the Employment Security Law, though specific changes aren't detailed in the text. This directly affects apprentices, employers offering training, and the Nebraska Department of Labor, standardizing oversight of apprenticeships statewide.

LB 45 creates a five-year pilot grant program through Nebraska's Department of Labor to fund job training and employment opportunities for historically underserved youth (ages 18 or younger experiencing homelessness, poverty, foster care, or juvenile justice involvement). Eligible organizations must be headquartered in designated high-need census tracts and commit to hiring these youth for training in high-demand fields like IT, healthcare, and skilled trades. The program will launch in specific urban and rural communities for pilot evaluation before potential statewide expansion, with grants prioritized for areas with the highest poverty and unemployment rates. The Department of Labor will report annually on program effectiveness and placement rates in target fields.