The bill amends the Texas Labor Code to enhance the Texas Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs Grant Program. It redefines "industry-recognized apprenticeship program" to clarify that such programs must be recognized by the commission and certified according to commission rules, rather than by a third-party certifier as previously required. Additionally, the bill introduces a new provision allowing the commission to distribute partial reimbursements to eligible participants based on milestones achieved during on-the-job training.

Furthermore, the bill mandates the commission to establish rules for recognizing apprenticeable occupations and the criteria for certification of training programs as industry-recognized apprenticeships. These criteria must align with federal apprenticeship standards. The changes will apply to grants awarded on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025, while grants awarded prior will continue to be governed by the existing law.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Labor Code 302.252, Labor Code 302.256, Labor Code 302.257 (Labor Code 302)