HF 3980 Summary

• Expands the definition of "journeyworker" to include mentors, technicians, and specialists with documented skills from either formal apprenticeship or practical on-the-job experience.

• Changes provisional approval period for apprenticeship programs from one year to allowing continuation through the first full training cycle after biannual review.

• Extends the time sponsors have to submit executed apprenticeship agreements from 30 to 45 days after receiving a certificate of registration.

• Modifies probationary period limits from 500 hours and four months to one year or 25 percent of program length, whichever is shorter.

• Establishes a two-step corrective action process: commissioners must issue a notice to correct with 30-60 days to remedy deficiencies before denying applications or deregistering programs, with appeal rights to a hearing board.