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:

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

adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 112

APPRENTICESHIP PATHWAYS TO EARNING A BACHELOR'S DEGREE ACT

     16-112-1. Short title.

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

a Bachelor’s Degree Act.”

     16-112-2. Definitions.

     As used in this section:

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

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

department of labor and training.

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

     16-112-3. Implementation.

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

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

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

provided in subsection (e) of this section.

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

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

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

review shall be completed by April 1, 2024.

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

following:

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

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

public-private partnerships or an application process.

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

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

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

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

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

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

by 16-112-4.

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

include, but not be limited to:

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

apprenticeship coursework and experience;

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

a registered apprenticeship;

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

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

assigning credit to apprenticeship coursework; and

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

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

need by employers existing in the state.

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

shall become effective beginning August 1,2024.

     16-112-4. Reporting.

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

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

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

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

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

participation.

     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

***

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

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

the state by earning credits through apprenticeships.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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