HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

150th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 291

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 19 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO STATE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend Chapter 2, Title 19 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 205 Apprenticeship incentive program.

(a) The Delaware Division of Small Business shall allocate funding for an apprenticeship incentive program. This program shall meet the standards of apprenticeship programs defined by the Delaware Department of Labor. The Division shall promulgate regulations related to the administration of this program no later than October 1, 2020.

(b) Program incentive. The intent of the program is to incentivize the creation of new apprenticeship opportunities, and to strengthen Delaware’s workforce by helping to offset the costs associated with the establishment of such programs. Such incentive program shall be established, in accordance with all of the following provisions:

(1) The maximum amount that any 1 employer may receive for 1 or more apprentices within any 12- month period under the terms of this section is $5,000.

(2) An employer may not be eligible for the incentive reimbursement for an apprentice under the terms of this section until after the completion of a 6-month probationary period.

(3) An employer who makes any material misstatement or misrepresentation about the status of its apprentices under this program, or who otherwise submits any false or fraudulent statements to obtain reimbursement under this program shall be subject to a civil penalty of $5,000 to $50,000 per violation in addition to the penalties imposed under Chapter 6 of Title 12. The Department of Labor shall refer all such violations to the Delaware Department of Justice.

(c) The apprenticeship incentive program shall be funded in accordance to the rules established in Title 29, Chapter 87A, Subchapter VIII. The division shall announce the annual funding available for the program by July 31 of each calendar year.

(d) The Division of Small Business may promulgate rules and regulations in consultation with the Delaware Department of Labor in order to implement this section. The rules and regulations shall include how industries are identified, approved, and prioritized for participation in the program created by this section.

Section 2. This act shall take effect on July 1, 2020.

SYNOPSIS

This bill creates a financial incentive for employers to train and retain apprentices in apprenticeship programs. The purpose of this financial incentive is to encourage employers to create employment opportunities in Delaware and to train Delaware’s workforce to qualify for those employment opportunities.