S3067

An Act creating the Apprentice Assistance and Support Services Pilot Program, amending P.L.1992, c.43, and supplementing Title 34 of the Revised Statutes.

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. (New section) a. There is established in the Department of Labor and Workforce Development a five year Apprentice Assistance and Support Services Pilot Program. The purpose of the program shall be to address two significant barriers to individuals participating in apprenticeships, lack of affordable and reliable transportation and lack of affordable, high-quality childcare, by providing subsidies to eligible individuals participating in apprenticeships. To be eligible for the program, an individual is required to participate in an apprenticeship program accredited and approved by the United States Department of Labor.

b. The assistance provided by the pilot program shall consist of two components:

(1) Transportation assistance: If an individual travels 30 miles or more to a job site for work or to a classroom for apprenticeship training, the individual is eligible to receive mileage reimbursement at 50 percent of the current federal rate, up to $500 per individual per year.

(2) Child Care Subsidy: An individual participating in a qualified apprenticeship in accordance with subsection a. of this section is eligible for a child care subsidy from the Child Care Subsidy Program administered by the Division of Family Development in the Department of Human Services if an individual’s income and assets do not exceed the maximum allowable income and asset criteria under the least restrictive subsidy program administered by the Child Care Subsidy Program. In order for a child care program to qualify for the subsidy, the provider of the program is required to be a licensed child care provider, registered family care provider, or a home or summer camp that is approved by the State. The subsidy provided shall be as follows, but in no event, shall exceed $5,000 per individual per year:

(a) up to 100 percent of child care paid for one year from the first of the month following the individual’s date of apprentice registration and dispatch;

(b) up to 75 percent of child care paid for one year following the individual’s eligibility at the 100 percent reimbursement rate; and

(c) up to 50 percent of of child care paid for one year following the individual’s eligibility at the 75 percent reimbursement rate.

c. To receive transportation assistance in accordance with paragraph (1) of subsection b. of this section, an individual shall apply to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development for reimbursement for travel expenses related to the individual’s apprenticeship. As part of the individual’s application, the individual is required to provide documentation that the apprenticeship in which the individual is participating is accredited and approved by the United States Department of Labor.

d. To receive a child care subsidy in accordance with paragraph (2) of subsection b. of this section, an individual shall apply to the Division of Family Development in the Department of Human Services for child care costs incurred as a result of the individual’s commitment to the apprenticeship. As part of the individual’s application, the individual is required to provide documentation that the apprenticeship in which the individual is participating is accredited and approved by the United States Department of Labor. An individual shall also provide documentation of the costs of child care, which shall include documentation that the child care is utilized during the days and times in which the individual is participating in the apprenticeship. Although the administration of the subsidy is through the Department of Human Services, the funding shall be allocated by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development in accordance with section 9 of P.L.1992, c.43 (C.34:15D-9).

e. No later than January 1, 2023, the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development shall submit to the Governor, and to the Legislature, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), a report that evaluates the results of the pilot program and its effectiveness in assisting program participants in entering the workforce or in obtaining better employment. The report shall include a recommendation regarding whether to renew the Apprentice Assistance and Support Services Pilot Program, and if renewal is recommended, if the program should be expanded or otherwise enhanced.

2. Section 9 of P.L.1992, c.43 (C.34:15D-9) is amended to read as follows:

9. a. A restricted, nonlapsing, revolving Workforce Development Partnership Fund, to be managed and invested by the State Treasurer, is hereby established to: provide employment and training services to qualified displaced, disadvantaged and employed workers by means of training grants or customized training services; provide for the other costs indicated in subsection a. of section 4 of P.L.1992, c.43 (C.34:15D-4); provide for the New Jersey Innovation and Research Fellowship Program as provided for in section 3 of P.L.2015, c.235 (C.34:15D-26); and facilitate the provision of education and training to youth by means of grants provided by the Youth Transitions to Work Partnership pursuant to the provisions of P.L.1993, c.268 (C.34:15E-1 et al.). All appropriations to the fund, all interest accumulated on balances in the fund and all cash received for the fund from any other source shall be used solely for the purposes specifically delineated by this act.

b. During any fiscal year beginning after June 30, 2001, of the total revenues dedicated to the program during any one fiscal year: 25% shall be deposited in an account of the Workforce Development Partnership Fund reserved to provide employment and training services for qualified displaced workers; 6% shall be deposited in an account of the Workforce Development Partnership Fund reserved to provide employment and training services for qualified disadvantaged workers; 42% shall be deposited in an account of the Workforce Development Partnership Fund reserved for and appropriated to the Office of Customized Training, except that, during the fiscal year beginning after June 30, 2019, 37% shall be deposited in an account of the Workforce Development Partnership Fund reserved for and appropriated to the Office of Customized Training, and 5% shall be deposited in an account of the Workforce Development Partnership Fund reserved to provide, in a ratio of 90% to the Child Care Subsidy program and 10% to transportation reimbursement, apprentice assistance and support services under the pilot program established pursuant to section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) through fiscal year 2024; 3% shall be deposited in an account of the Workforce Development Partnership Fund reserved for occupational safety and health training; 5% shall be deposited in an account of the Workforce Development Partnership Fund reserved for the Youth Transitions to Work Partnership created pursuant to P.L.1993, c.268 (C.34:15E-1 et seq.); 3% shall be deposited in an account of the Workforce Development Partnership Fund reserved for the New Jersey Innovation and Research Fellowship Program established pursuant to section 3 of P.L.2015, c.235 (C.34:15D-26); 10% shall be deposited in an account of the Workforce Development Partnership Fund reserved for administrative costs as defined in section 3 of P.L.1992, c.43 (C.34:15D-3); 0.5% shall be deposited in an account of the Workforce Development Partnership Fund reserved for the State Employment and Training Commission to design criteria and conduct an annual evaluation of the program; and 5.5% shall be deposited in an account of the Workforce Development Partnership Fund to be used, at the discretion of the commissioner, for any of the purposes indicated in subsection a. of section 4 of P.L.1992, c.43 (C.34:15D-4).

c. Beginning January 1, 1995, through June 30, 2002, the balance in the fund as of the previous December 31, as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, shall not exceed 1.5 times the amount of contributions deposited for the calendar year then ended. If the balance exceeds this amount, the excess shall be deposited into the unemployment compensation fund within seven business days of the date that the determination is made.

d. Beginning July 1, 2002, and for any subsequent fiscal year, if the unexpended cash balance in any of the accounts indicated in subsection b. of this section, less any amount awarded in grants but not yet disbursed from the account, is determined to exceed 20% of the amount of contributions collected for deposit in the account pursuant to this subsection during the fiscal year then ended, the excess shall be regarded as an unemployment compensation contribution and deposited into the unemployment compensation fund within seven business days of the date that the determination is made.

(cf: P.L.2015, c.235, s.2)

3. This act shall take effect on July 1, 2019, except that the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development and the Commissioner of the Department of Human Services may take any anticipatory administrative action in advance as shall be necessary for the implementation of this act, and shall expire on July 1, 2025.

STATEMENT

This bill establishes the Apprentice Assistance and Support Services Pilot Program. The purpose of the program shall be to address two significant barriers to individuals participating in apprenticeships, lack of affordable and reliable transportation and lack of affordable, high-quality childcare, by providing subsidies to eligible individuals participating in apprenticeships.

To be eligible for the program, an individual is required to participate in an apprenticeship program accredited and approved by the United States Department of Labor.

The assistance provided by the pilot program shall consist of two components: transportation mileage reimbursement costs and a child care subsidy. If an individual travels 30 miles or more to a job site for work or to a classroom for apprenticeship training, the individual is eligible to receive mileage reimbursement at 50 percent of the current federal rate, up to $500 per individual per year. An individual participating in a qualified apprenticeship is eligible for a child care subsidy up to $5,000 per year from the Child Care Subsidy Program administered by the Division of Family Development in the Department of Human Services.

The bill proposes to fund the program through the dedication of a portion of the revenue in the Workforce Development Partnership Fund, which is currently reserved for employment and training purposes. The bill would dedicate the funding through fiscal year 2024.