The bill amends Vermont's vocational rehabilitation laws to improve support for injured workers by requiring the Department to provide them with a form that outlines their rights, including the ability to request vocational rehabilitation services if their work injury impacts their earning capacity. It also establishes a Vocational Rehabilitation Working Group, composed of various stakeholders such as legislators, labor commissioners, and representatives from workers' compensation and vocational rehabilitation, to recommend enhancements to the system for better service delivery to injured workers.

Additionally, the bill revises definitions related to apprenticeship programs, focusing on nontraditional populations and underserved communities. It mandates strategic planning and reporting for the Vermont Registered Apprenticeship Program, including a five-year strategic plan and annual program status reports. The bill sets requirements for registering youth apprenticeship programs, including detailed plans from regional Career and Technical Education centers that cover work processes, competency alignment with education, and compliance with youth legal protections. It also introduces new requirements for wage schedules and advanced standing procedures, with the act set to take effect on July 1, 2026. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the accessibility and equity of vocational rehabilitation services and apprenticeship programs in Vermont.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 21-641, 3-922
As Passed By the Senate -- Official: 21-641, 3-922
As Passed By the Senate -- Unofficial: 21-641
As Passed by Both House and Senate -- Official: 21-641, 3-922, 21-13
As Passed by Both House and Senate -- Unofficial: 21-641, 21-13
As Enacted: 21-641, 21-13