HB 25-1284

House Bill 25-1284, which has been signed into law, regulates apprenticeships for electrical and plumbing trades in Colorado. Starting January 1, 2027, employers will only be allowed to register apprentices with the relevant governing board if those apprentices are enrolled in a program recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor as training them specifically for electrical or plumbing work. The law also requires state agencies to establish data-sharing agreements to ensure that apprentices meet these requirements and can remove registration from those who don't comply within 60 days. This affects employers, apprentices, and governing boards in Colorado's licensed trades sectors.

Official Summary

Starting January 1, 2027, the act prohibits an electrical employer or plumbing employer that employs an apprentice in the state (employer) from registering an apprentice with the employer's respective governing board (board) unless the apprentice is enrolled in an apprenticeship program training the apprentice for an occupation officially recognized by the United States department of labor as an electrical occupation for an electrical apprenticeship or a plumbing occupation for a plumbing apprenticeship. On or before July 1, 2027, if existing resources are available or if the department of regulatory agencies (DORA) receives sufficient gifts, grants, or donations, the act requires the state apprenticeship agency and DORA to establish data-sharing agreements and policies to enable the entities to determine if there are apprentices registered with a board who are enrolled to be trained for occupations other than electrical or plumbing occupations and who are therefore ineligible for registration with the board. If the board cannot verify that an apprentice is eligible to be registered as an apprentice within 60 days after notice of noncompliance, the board shall remove the apprentice's registration with the board, and the noncompliant apprentice shall not perform work as a plumbing or electrical apprentice in the state. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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