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VermontS.1732025-2026 SessionSenateWALLET

An act relating to vocational rehabilitation and apprenticeships

Sponsored By: Kesha K Ram Hinsdale (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

New eligibility and pay rules for youth apprentices

Beginning July 1, 2026, youth apprentices must have unfinished secondary education and attend an Agency of Education-approved educational program. They must also be enrolled in career technical education, replacing the rule requiring them to start while in high school. Regional career technical education centers must submit registration plans developed with sponsors and sending high schools. Paid work outside the school day requires a clear wage schedule that rises with skill mastery; no wage amounts are set. Plans must cover credit toward full apprenticeships, program costs, and staff and partner knowledge of youth protections and laws.

Injured workers get clearer retraining rights notices

Beginning July 1, 2026, Vermont’s Department of Labor must explain injured workers’ right to request vocational rehabilitation services later. The notice covers work injuries under workers’ compensation that affect the ability to earn the worker’s preinjury wage. These services help workers prepare for or return to work. The notice does not guarantee services or set a new benefit amount.

More privacy and equal opportunity for apprentices

Beginning July 1, 2026, apprentices can leave their Social Security number and demographic details off apprenticeship agreements. Optional details include race, national origin, gender identity, language, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, and disability status. Each agreement must also state that apprentices receive equal opportunity in work and training without discrimination. Listed protections include race, national origin, gender identity, age, primary language, genetic information, veteran status, and disability.

Apprenticeship programs must address barriers to access

Beginning July 1, 2026, Vermont’s Apprenticeship Advisory Board must address barriers to joining and finishing apprenticeships and strengthen community partnerships. Underserved groups include rural residents, veterans and spouses, people facing age or former-incarceration barriers, and people lacking transportation or high-speed internet. The definition also covers people harmed by poverty, discrimination, or inequality. Nontraditional classifications cover historically excluded groups below 25% participation in an apprenticeable occupation, and industries or occupations below 10% of national apprenticeship occupations or programs, using 2023 as the benchmark. The Registered Apprenticeship Program must publish an implementation plan every five years starting July 1, 2026, replacing the July 1, 2024, start date.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Kesha K Ram Hinsdale

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. Senate Message: Signed by Governor May 21, 2026

    5/26/2026Senate

  2. Signed by Governor on May 21, 2026

    5/22/2026Senate

  3. Delivered to Governor on May 15, 2026

    5/15/2026Senate

  4. Senate Message: House proposal of amendment concurred in

    5/8/2026Senate

  5. As passed by Senate and House

    5/7/2026Senate

  6. Title amended

    5/7/2026Senate

  7. House proposal of amendment concurred in

    5/7/2026Senate

  8. House proposal of amendment; text

    5/7/2026Senate

  9. Unfinished Business/House Proposal of Amendment

    5/7/2026Senate

  10. Unfinished Business/House Proposal of Amendment

    5/6/2026Senate

  11. New Business/House Proposal of Amendment

    5/5/2026Senate

  12. House proposal of amendment

    5/1/2026Senate

  13. Entered on Notice Calendar

    5/1/2026Senate

  14. House message: House passed bill in concurrence with proposal(s) of amendment

    5/1/2026House

  15. Read third time and passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment

    4/29/2026House

  16. Action Calendar: Third Reading

    4/29/2026House

  17. Third Reading ordered

    4/28/2026House

  18. Report of Committee on Commerce and Economic Development, as amended, agreed to

    4/28/2026House

  19. Report of Committee on Commerce and Economic Development amended as recommended by Committee on Appropriations

    4/28/2026House

  20. Rep. Nigro of Bennington recommended for the Committee on Appropriations

    4/28/2026House

  21. Rep. Cooper of Pownal reported for the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development

    4/28/2026House

  22. Read second time

    4/28/2026House

  23. Action Calendar: Favorable with Amendment

    4/28/2026House

  24. Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment

    4/24/2026House

  25. Referred to Committee on Appropriations per Rule 35(a)

    4/22/2026House

Bill Text

  • As Enacted (ACT 107)Opens in a new window

    5/29/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers

    5/14/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)

    5/14/2026

    PDF

  • House Proposal of Amendment

    4/30/2026

    PDF

  • House Proposal of Amendment (Unofficial)

    4/30/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by the Senate

    3/13/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by the Senate (Unofficial)

    3/13/2026

    PDF

  • As Introduced

    1/5/2026

    PDF

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