SB 23-051

Senate Bill 23-051 in Colorado establishes the Office of the Future of Work within the Department of Labor and Employment. This office will work on identifying opportunities for communities to adapt to new industries, engage with various stakeholders, and explore ways to modernize worker benefits and protections. The bill also updates the State Apprenticeship Agency to align with federal regulations, allowing it to register and oversee apprenticeship programs more effectively. It was signed into law by the governor on March 23, 2023, and is now in effect, meaning these changes are already being implemented to support workforce development in Colorado.

Official Summary

The office of future of work (OFW) was created in the department of labor and employment (department) by executive order of the governor in 2019 to respond to the changing nature of work in the state. The act creates the OFW in statute and expands the duties of the OFW. The purpose of the OFW is to: Identify opportunities for Colorado's communities to transition effectively to emerging industries; Ensure the inclusion of key stakeholders and engage partnerships across public and private sectors; Host, organize, and convene task forces, summits, and other appropriate meetings with diverse stakeholders, designed to improve the state's understanding of the social and economic impacts of the changing nature of work; Explore ways that the state can prepare for current and future impacts, including through the modernization of worker benefits and protections, the development of a skilled and resilient workforce through coordination of registered apprenticeship programs, and the identification of new policy and program solutions; and Undertake studies, research, and factual reports related to issues of concern and importance to Colorado's future workforce. The executive director of the department is required to submit a report to the governor, at least once per calendar year, that includes recommendations for potential policy initiatives. In 2021, House Bill 21-1007 created the state apprenticeship agency (SAA) in the department. The act amends provisions governing the SAA to enable the United States department of labor's office of apprenticeship to recognize Colorado's state apprenticeship agency and authorize the SAA to register and oversee apprenticeship programs. To conform with regulations promulgated by the United States secretary of labor under the federal "National Apprenticeship Act", the act: Modifies references to apprenticeships in Colorado statutes; Directs the SAA to establish the state apprenticeship council (SAC) to provide advice and guidance to the SAA; Creates the committee for apprenticeship in the building and construction trades (CABCT) as a subcommittee of the SAC to advise the SAA on registered apprenticeship programs for the building and construction trades in the state; and Changes the name of the interagency advisory committee on apprenticeship to the committee for apprenticeship in new and emerging industries (CANEI), designated as a subcommittee of the SAC and tasked with advising the SAA on apprenticeship programs that are not within the jurisdiction of the CABCT. The bill allows the general assembly to appropriate money from the general fund or any other available source to the department to pay for the OFW to carry out the duties specified in the act. The OFW is also authorized to seek, accept, and expend gifts, grants, or donations to fund its duties. APPROVED by Governor March 23, 2023 EFFECTIVE March 23, 2023 (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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