89R13424 DNC-F     By: Hancock S.B. No. 1593       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the Texas Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs   Grant Program.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 302.252(1), Labor Code, is amended to   read as follows:                (1)  "Industry-recognized apprenticeship program"   means a training program that:                      (A)  provides on-the-job training, preparatory   instruction, supplementary instruction, or related instruction in   an occupation that has been recognized as an apprenticeable   occupation by the commission as provided by commission rule [Office   of Apprenticeship of the United States Department of Labor]; or                      (B)  is certified by the commission as an   industry-recognized apprenticeship program as provided by   commission rule [by a third-party certifier that has received from   the United States Department of Labor a favorable determination of   qualification to award that certification].          SECTION 2.  Section 302.256, Labor Code, is amended by   adding Subsection (e) to read as follows:          (e)  The commission by rule may distribute payments   constituting a partial reimbursement to an eligible person as   milestones for on-the-job training and employment are met by   program participants, in accordance with the grant terms.          SECTION 3.  Section 302.257, Labor Code, is amended by   amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to read as   follows:          (a)  The commission shall adopt rules to administer and   enforce this subchapter, including rules establishing:                (1)  which occupations are recognized by the commission   as an apprenticeable occupation for purposes of this subchapter and   the criteria for that determination, which must include that the   occupation:                      (A)  be customarily learned in a practical way   through a structured, systematic program of on-the-job supervised   training;                      (B)  be clearly identified and commonly   recognized throughout an industry;                      (C)  involve manual, mechanical, or technical   skills or knowledge which requires significant on-the-job work   experience; and                      (D)  require related instruction to supplement   the on-the-job training; and                (2)  a process for and the criteria by which the   commission may certify a training program as an industry-recognized   apprenticeship program for purposes of this subchapter.          (a-1)  The criteria adopted by the commission under   Subsection (a)(2) must be generally consistent with the standards   of apprenticeship prescribed by 29 C.F.R. Section 29.          SECTION 4.  As soon as practicable after the effective date   of this Act, the Texas Workforce Commission shall adopt the rules   required by Section 302.257, Labor Code, as amended by this Act.          SECTION 5.  The change in law made by this Act applies only   to a grant awarded under Subchapter I, Chapter 302, Labor Code, on   or after the effective date of this Act. A grant awarded before   that date is governed by the law in effect on the date the grant was   awarded, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.          SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.