The bill proposes comprehensive amendments to Rhode Island's General Laws, particularly focusing on the registration, supervision, and training of apprentices in various trades such as electricians, plumbers, and mechanical trades. Key changes include the replacement of terms like "limited-registered" and "indentured" with "registered," the removal of the requirement for out-of-state apprentices to obtain approval before working in Rhode Island, and the introduction of a new section detailing exam requirements for apprentices. The bill also specifies the evidence required for apprenticeship completion, such as transcripts and work record books, and mandates that credit for prior learning or experience must be approved by the relevant board of examiners. Additionally, the bill amends laws related to plumbers, irrigators, and water system installers, defining apprentices in these fields and outlining the qualifications for journeyperson licenses. It repeals the entire Chapter 28-4 "Indenture of Apprentices," indicating a shift away from the indenture system. The bill also updates the requirements for journeypersons in mechanical trades, removing the five-year apprenticeship requirement and replacing it with a 10,000-hour registered apprenticeship program. It clarifies that journeypersons can only work as employees of licensed masters and introduces a conversion process for certain electrician and burnerperson licenses. The bill removes the annual fee for apprentices and sets forth new provisions for the establishment and operation of apprenticeship programs, including minimum on-the-job learning hours, related instruction hours, and compliance with equal opportunity standards. The bill includes both new legal language and deletions from current law, aiming to modernize and streamline the apprenticeship system in Rhode Island.

Statutes affected:
2469  SUB A as amended: 5-70-5, 28-45-18
2469  SUB A: 5-70-5, 28-45-18
2469: 5-70-5, 28-45-18