2023 -- S 0178

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LC000886

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- APPRENTICESHIP PATHWAYS TO EARNING A

BACHELOR'S DEGREE ACT

     

     Introduced By: Senators Gallo, Pearson, DiPalma, Euer, Felag, Valverde, Lawson, and
Zurier

     Date Introduced: February 16, 2023

     Referred To: Senate Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Title 16 of the General Laws entitled "EDUCATION" is hereby amended by

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adding thereto the following chapter:

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CHAPTER 112

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APPRENTICESHIP PATHWAYS TO EARNING A BACHELOR'S DEGREE ACT

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     16-112-1. Short title.

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     This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Apprenticeship Pathways to Earning

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a Bachelor’s Degree Act.”

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     16-112-2. Definitions.

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     As used in this section:

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     (1) “Apprenticeship” means an apprenticeship program that meets the standards

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established in the National Apprenticeship Act 29 CFR Part 29, and that is registered with the

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department of labor and training.

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     (2) “Board” means the board of education.

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     16-112-3. Implementation.

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     (a) By January 1, 2024, each state public higher education institution shall adopt policies

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establishing nontraditional pathways to earning a bachelor’s degree at the state's public higher

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education institutions through the inclusion of credits earned through apprenticeships, as further

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provided in subsection (e) of this section.

 

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     (b) The policies adopted by each higher education institution shall be subject to review and

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approval of the board of education. The board shall reject or modify any policies that are unduly

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burdensome for students seeking the apprenticeship pathway to earning a bachelor’s degree. This

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review shall be completed by April 1, 2024.

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     (c) In addition, the board of education shall adopt policies to uniformly address the

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following:

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     (1) The form and manner in which registered apprenticeships may be determined to be

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eligible for inclusion in a nontraditional pathway to earning a bachelor's degree, including through

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public-private partnerships or an application process.

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     (d) No later than September 1, 2024, the board shall convene a workgroup, including, but

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not limited to, representatives from the department of labor and training, the office of the

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postsecondary commissioner, public higher education institutions, the state apprenticeship council,

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and the construction trades. The purpose of the workgroup is to advise the board regarding the

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implementation of nontraditional pathways to earning a bachelor’s degree, including assisting with

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the review pursuant to subsection (b) of this section and with the development of the plan required

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by 16-112-4.

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     (e) The policies that shall be adopted by each public higher education institution shall

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include, but not be limited to:

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     (1) The process by which a student may request academic credit for registered

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apprenticeship coursework and experience;

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     (2) The number of credits a student may earn through coursework and experience hours in

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a registered apprenticeship;

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     (3) The development of clear guidelines distinguishing credit-bearing and non-credit-

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bearing apprenticeship coursework including, but not limited to, standardizing the process of

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assigning credit to apprenticeship coursework; and

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     (4) Guidelines to determine degree majors towards which credits for apprenticeships may

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be earned, including giving priority to majors that have both a low completion rate and a hiring

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need by employers existing in the state.

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     (f) The policies of the public higher education institutions adopted pursuant to this section

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shall become effective beginning August 1,2024.

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     16-112-4. Reporting.

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     No later than August 1, 2025, the board shall provide the governor, the president of the

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senate, and the speaker of the house of representatives a plan for increasing the number of students

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who earn credit towards and/or complete bachelor's degrees from a Rhode Island public institution

 

LC000886 - Page 2 of 4

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of higher education through a registered apprenticeship. The board may create additional reporting

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requirements to focus on data collection for the purposes of program progress, goals, and

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participation.

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     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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     This act would create the Apprenticeship Pathways to Earning a Bachelor’s Degree Act, to

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enable an individual to earn a bachelor’s degree at public higher education institutions throughout

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the state by earning credits through apprenticeships.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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