An Act To Expand Access to the Workforce through Apprenticeships
Sec. 1. 32 MRSA c. 1-A, sub-c. 4 is enacted to read:
SUBCHAPTER 4
EXPANDED WORKFORCE ACCESS ACT
§ 60-P. Short title
This subchapter may be known and cited as "the Expanded Workforce Access Act."
§ 60-Q. Definitions
As used in this subchapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
(1) Chapter 127-A as an athletic trainer;
(2) Chapter 126 to practice cosmetology, barbering, limited barbering, nail technology or aesthetics;
(3) Chapter 127 as a massage therapist or massage practitioner; and
(4) Chapter 22 as a limited interpreter, limited transliterator, limited deaf interpreter, certified interpreter, certified deaf interpreter or certified transliterator.
§ 60-R. Alternative path to licensure through apprenticeship
(1) Is approved by the Department of Labor or federal Department of Labor or otherwise permitted under state or federal law; and
(2) Is completed either at a school that is licensed by the State or by training with a person licensed by the State who holds the license for which the applicant applies; and
A licensing authority may not require an applicant for a license under this Act to pass an examination if the licensing authority does not require an applicant for that license under another chapter of this Title to pass that examination.
summary
This bill establishes an alternative path to licensure through apprenticeship for certain professions. The bill requires that, beginning January 1, 2020, the appropriate licensing authority grant to a person that has successfully completed 8th grade, passed any required examinations and completed an approved apprenticeship a license to practice as:
1. An auctioneer;
2. A dietetic technician;
3. A veterinary technician;
4. A pharmacy technician;
5. A basic emergency medical technician;
6. A well driller, geothermal heat exchange well driller, geothermal heat exchange well pump installer or pump installer;
7. An athletic trainer;
8. A cosmetologist, barber, limited barber, nail technician or aesthetician;
9. A massage therapist or massage practitioner; and
10. A limited interpreter, limited transliterator, limited deaf interpreter, certified interpreter, certified deaf interpreter or certified transliterator.