The proposed bill, General Assembly Committee Bill No. 6786, aims to establish a new process for licensed contractors and businesses in specific skilled trades—namely electrical, plumbing, heating, piping and cooling, sprinkler fitting, and sheet metal work—to hire additional apprentices when they do not meet the required hiring ratios. Effective October 1, 2025, the Labor Commissioner will be responsible for adopting or amending regulations to facilitate this process. Contractors must submit an application to the Labor Department detailing their current workforce and other relevant information. The bill outlines specific criteria that applicants must meet to qualify for hiring ratio relief, including maintaining good standing with the Labor Department and having a satisfactory history regarding apprentice employment.

Additionally, the bill mandates that the Labor Commissioner review applications within ten business days and notify applicants of the decision. If approved, the hiring ratio relief will apply to the apprentices specified in the application for up to six years, even if the contractor later fails to meet the criteria. Furthermore, the Labor Department is required to submit an annual report to relevant legislative committees starting October 1, 2026, detailing the outcomes of the hiring ratio relief process. The bill introduces new legal language while not indicating any deletions from existing law.