Fast Track Advanced Apprenticeships Now Act
Bill: H.R.548 | Sponsor: Rep. Kim, Andy (D-NJ)
Policy area: Labor and Employment

Summary:
Fast Track Advanced Apprenticeships Now Act
This bill requires the Department of Labor to make a determination on whether to approve an application for certain occupations as apprenticeable occupations within 45 days after its receipt or else provide the applicant with a written explanation for the delay and offer an estimated timeline for a determination within 90 days after the explanation.
Furthermore, Labor must convene—on an ongoing basis and take into consideration recommendations of the National Advisory Committee on Apprenticeships—certain industry sector leaders and experts to establish or update specific frameworks of industry-recognized occupational standards for current and potential apprenticeable occupations that (1) meet federal regulations governing safety and health standards and equal employment opportunity in apprenticeships; and (2) describe program scope and length, related instructions, on-the-job training, recognized postsecondary credentials, and competencies, and relevant timelines for review of such frameworks.

To direct the Secretary of Labor to make a determination on whether to 
   approve an occupation as an apprenticeable occupation in a timely 
                    manner, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Fast Track Advanced Apprenticeships 
Now Act''.

SEC. 2. NEW APPRENTICEABLE OCCUPATIONS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Labor shall review and make a 
determination on whether to approve an occupation as an apprenticeable 
occupation not later than 45 days after receiving an application from a 
person seeking such approval from the Secretary.
    (b) Estimated Timeline.--If such determination is not made within 
45 days, the Secretary shall provide the applicant with a written 
explanation for the delay and offer an estimated timeline for a 
determination that does not exceed 90 days after the date of such 
written explanation.

SEC. 3. INDUSTRY-RECOGNIZED OCCUPATIONAL STANDARDS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall convene, on an ongoing basis 
and taking into consideration recommendations of the National Advisory 
Committee on Apprenticeships, as authorized under the Act of August 16, 
1937 (commonly referred to as the National Apprenticeship Act), the 
industry sector leaders and experts described in subsection (b) for the 
purposes of establishing or updating specific frameworks of industry-
recognized occupational standards for apprenticeable occupations 
(including potential apprenticeable occupations) that--
            (1) meet the requirements of subpart A of part 29, and part 
        30 of title 29, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on 
        September 18, 2020); and
            (2) describe program scope and length, related instruction, 
        on-the-job training, recognized postsecondary credentials, and 
        competencies, and relevant timelines for review of such 
        frameworks.
    (b) Industry Sector Leaders and Experts.--The industry sector 
leaders and experts are employers, industry associations, joint labor-
management organizations, labor organizations, education and training 
providers, credential providers, program participants, and other 
stakeholders relevant to the sector or occupation for which the 
frameworks are being established or updated, as determined by the 
Secretary.
    (c) Priority Industry-Recognized Apprenticeable Occupations.--In 
establishing frameworks under subsection (a) for the first time after 
the date enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall prioritize the 
establishment of such standards in high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand 
industry sectors and occupations.

SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Apprenticeship.--The term ``apprenticeship'' or 
        ``apprenticeship program'' means an apprenticeship--
                    (A) registered with the Department of Labor under 
                the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the 
                ``National Apprenticeship Act''; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 
                663; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.), or a State Apprenticeship 
                Agency recognized by the Department of Labor; and
                    (B) that complies with the requirements of subpart 
                A of part 29, and part 30 of title 29, Code of Federal 
                Regulations (as in effect on September 18, 2020).
            (2) National apprenticeship system.--The term ``national 
        apprenticeship system'' means the apprenticeship programs, 
        youth apprenticeship programs, and pre-apprenticeship programs 
        registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly referred 
        to as the National Apprenticeship Act).
            (3) Recognized postsecondary credential.--The term 
        ``recognized postsecondary credential'' has the meaning given 
        the term in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and 
        Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102), except that such term does 
        not include a certificate of completion of an apprenticeship.
            (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Labor.

SEC. 5. FUNDING.

    Any funds appropriated under this Act shall only be used for, or 
provided to, programs under the national apprenticeship system, 
including any funds awarded for the purposes of grants, contracts, or 
cooperative agreements, or the development, implementation, or 
administration, of programs under the national apprenticeship system.
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