Senate approves bill to allow more students access to apprenticeships

Legislation to help more Oklahoma students be career ready after graduation    unanimously passed off the Senate Floor Tuesday.  Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, is the author of Senate Bill 1532, which will allow sophomores age 16 and older to participate in the Apprenticeships, Internships and Mentorships Act of 2016.

“It’s important to learn how to read, write and do math but our students also need help finding what their passion is and what career they’d like to pursue before going into the workforce or on to college,” Bullard said.  “This will give sophomores access to this program so they can get hands-on, real life experience in different fields and industries to help them better prepare for their future.”

Currently, the program is only open to juniors and seniors.  SB 1532 also authorizes the governing body of participating schools to obtain liability insurance coverage to protect students who participate in the program.  It also prohibits the governing body from directly or indirectly charging a student or the student’s parent or legal guardian for the cost of the coverage and clarifies that failure to obtain insurance does not place a legal liability on the governing body of the school. 

“Not being able to purchase liability insurance for students was a major roadblock for many schools in my district and kept them from allowing participation in apprenticeships.  This bill will allow them to get the proper coverage to protect themselves from liability should a student get hurt while participating in an apprenticeship, internship or mentorship,” Bullard said. 

SB 1532 also directs the State Board of Education to review apprenticeships, internships and mentorships to determine if they are eligible for academic credit toward meeting graduation requirements.

The bill now moves to the House for further consideration.

For more information, contact: Sen. Bullard: (405) 521-5586 David.Bullard@oksenate.gov

-END-

MAKE IT COUNT OKLAHOMA! Census Day is April 1 and Oklahoma needs a full count. An undercount in the census of just 2 percent can cost the state $1.8 billion in lost federal money over the next 10 years. Fill out your census form, Oklahoma. Learn more at:www.2020census.gov.