Department of Labor backs S.173 updates to apprenticeship statute

The committee heard a brief presentation from the Department of Labor on S.173, which updates Vermont’s registered apprenticeship statute to align with federal guidance and state equity review.

Rowan, identified as policy and legislative affairs director at the Department of Labor, said Act 55 (2023) substantially revised apprenticeship law and the current S.173 contains further clarifications and equity‑focused language. “There is nothing substantive in any of the changes and I am happy to go through them,” Rowan told senators, stressing the changes are procedural and intended to broaden access statewide.

Members asked about a provision listing rural populations; labor staff explained the edits were intended to ensure statewide eligibility rather than create a narrow rural carve‑out. The committee indicated willingness to concur with the House amendment package and asked staff to prepare concise explanatory language for the record.

No final floor action was taken during the hearing; the committee signaled readiness to advance the technical updates once standard concurrence paperwork is prepared.