Bill > AB345

This bill aims to streamline the approval process for new apprenticeship programs by requiring the Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS) to confirm the completeness of an application within 30 days of receipt and provide clear timelines for program approval. Under the bill, if the DAS chief has not made a final determination on a completed application within six months, the program can receive conditional approval, provided it has been approved by the U.S. Department of Labor, has documented employer commitments to employ and train apprentices, and has an educational agency partner to ensure theoretical instruction meets standards. The bill mandates that the chief must make a final determination on the application within one year of receiving a completed application. Importantly, the bill explicitly excludes apprenticeship programs in building and construction trades and firefighter programs from these requirements. The bill also addresses potential local agency costs by clarifying that no reimbursement is required since the changes relate to creating or modifying criminal provisions. By establishing these clear timelines and conditions, the bill seeks to make the apprenticeship program approval process more efficient and transparent while maintaining quality standards.

Budget and Finance, Labor and Employment

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB345