The bill introduces the "Apprenticeship Pathways to Earning a Bachelor's Degree Act" to Title 16 of the General Laws, which aims to establish nontraditional pathways for earning a bachelor's degree through apprenticeships. The act requires state public higher education institutions to adopt policies by January 1, 2024, that allow for the inclusion of credits earned through apprenticeships that meet the standards of the National Apprenticeship Act and are registered with the department of labor and training. These policies will be reviewed and approved by the board of education, which will ensure they are not unduly burdensome for students. The board is also tasked with adopting policies to determine how apprenticeships can be eligible for academic credit and to convene a workgroup by September 1, 2024, to advise on the implementation of these pathways.

The policies adopted by each public higher education institution must include a process for students to request academic credit for apprenticeship coursework and experience, the number of credits that can be earned, guidelines for distinguishing credit-bearing from non-credit-bearing apprenticeship coursework, and guidelines for determining degree majors towards which apprenticeship credits may be applied. These policies are to become effective starting August 1, 2024. Additionally, by August 1, 2025, the board is required to provide a plan to the governor and legislative leaders for increasing the number of students earning bachelor's degrees through registered apprenticeships, with the possibility of creating additional reporting requirements for program progress and participation. The act will take effect upon passage.