THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

452

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to apprenticeships.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that apprenticeship programs are age-old, successful models for developing skilled workers.  Apprenticeship programs approved by University of Hawaii community colleges are composed of two major components: work process and related instruction.  The work process component consists of on-the-job training, while the related instruction component is the structured class and laboratory or shop curricula.  Therefore, apprenticeship programs develop job skills through both theoretical and practical experiences.  Furthermore, upon completion of an approved apprenticeship program, work process and related instruction hours may be applied toward an associate degree.

     The legislature also finds that in 2016, the United States Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, awarded the department of labor and industrial relations a $1,167,291 grant to expand apprenticeship opportunities in information technology and health care.   This grant helped to alleviate the shortage of physicians, pharmacy technicians, nursing assistants, paraoptometric technicians, medical laboratory workers, and community health workers.

     Research and peer reviewed studies focusing on the role of community health workers have overwhelmingly documented the positive impact of community health workers in improving chronic disease outcomes and lowering health care costs.  In addition, community health workers increasingly provide services that help reduce the number of homeless individuals in Hawaii.

     The purpose of this Act is to provide funding to continue and expand health care apprenticeship programs at the University of Hawaii community colleges.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2019-2020 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 for health care apprenticeship programs at community colleges.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.


     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2019.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

UH; Community Colleges; Apprenticeships; Health Care; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds to continue and expand health care apprenticeship programs at UH community colleges.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.