# 119-s-531: American Apprenticeship Act

119-s-531, American Apprenticeship Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN] (D-MN); status introduced; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-04-21).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-531
- As of: 2026-04-21
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-s-531
- Congress: 119
- Title: American Apprenticeship Act
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2025-02-11
- Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN] (D-MN)
- Cosponsors: 1
- Policy area: Labor and Employment
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-04-21

## Summary

**Creates a federal grant program to expand and fund pre-apprenticeship activities and related instruction,** aiming to feed more people into registered apprenticeships and boost apprenticeships in industries that use them least. This would also push outreach to youth, minorities, veterans, people with disabilities, and others facing employment barriers. - States would compete for grants to defray costs like tuition, textbooks, equipment, curriculum, and other training needs. The federal share would be 20–50% and administrative costs would be capped at 10%. - Individuals in pre-apprenticeships would get classroom and hands-on training that cannot displace paid workers, plus a formal agreement that helps them enter a registered apprenticeship and may secure postsecondary credit for skills earned. - The Labor Department would identify in-demand occupations and regions where apprenticeships are underused, and the program would require state coordination with employers, postsecondary institutions, and workforce partners to expand apprenticeships in those fields. *Would authorize $15.0 million per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2031, increasing federal spending by that amount during those years.*

## Cosponsors (1)

- Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME] (R-ME), 2025-02-11T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Rules for pre-apprenticeship programs: benefit, low. This bill would define pre-apprenticeships and set required program rules. Programs would need an industry-aligned curriculum reviewed each year, hands-on and classroom training with safety and supervision, and a rule that training cannot replace paid employees. Programs would need a formal agreeme…
- State grants to fund pre-apprenticeships: benefit, low. This bill would create a competitive grant program for States to help pay pre-apprenticeship and related instruction costs. It would authorize $15 million per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2031. Grants would cover 20% to 50% of a project’s cost. States must apply with a plan, coordinate with P…
- Which apprenticeships qualify for help: benefit, low. This bill would define a "qualified apprenticeship" as one registered under the National Apprenticeship Act and concentrated in an industry or occupation that makes up less than 10% of apprenticeable occupations or programs. That definition would decide which apprenticeships can get targeted help a…

## Related bills

- 119-s-3923: Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026
- 119-s-1541: SHIPS for America Act of 2025
- 119-s-5071: Children's Safe Welcome Act of 2026
- 119-s-2838: Protecting Our Democracy Act
- 119-s-1748: Kids Online Safety Act
- 119-s-3492: Essential Caregivers Act of 2025

## Sources
- [119-s-531 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/531)

## Related
- [119-s-3923: Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3923)
- [119-s-1541: SHIPS for America Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1541)
- [119-s-5071: Children's Safe Welcome Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5071)
- [119-s-2838: Protecting Our Democracy Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2838)
- [119-s-1748: Kids Online Safety Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1748)
- [119-s-3492: Essential Caregivers Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3492)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-531 (as of 2026-04-21).