START Act
- Bill Number
- S. 4409
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Labor and Employment
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-28: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-21T16:58:47Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Streamlining Timely Apprenticeship Registration and Transparency Act (START Act) aims to simplify and speed up the process for registering apprenticeship programs under the National Apprenticeship Act of 1937. It sets clear timelines for approvals, increases transparency, limits the role of certain state advisory groups, establishes a federal grant program for states to support apprenticeships, and requires public disclosure of key information.
Key Provisions
- Program Registration Standards (New Section 4):
- Defines types of apprenticeship approaches: time-based (at least 2,000 hours of on-the-job learning), competency-based (skill demonstration verified by sponsor, including on-the-job learning), or hybrid.
- Requires sponsors (e.g., employers, unions) to submit "program standards" listing involved parties, approach type, and compliance with state wage/safety/licensing rules and federal standards.
- Timelines: 90 days for complete submissions (approve/deny with reasons and fixes if denied); 30 days for incomplete ones (corrective feedback).
- Secretary of Labor must publicly report average response times monthly, separated by complete vs. incomplete submissions.
- State Apprenticeship Councils: These advisory groups cannot make final decisions on approvals or be required to recommend programs (effective 2 years after enactment).
- Apprenticeship Grant Program:
- Annual grants to states (starting program year after enactment; $150 million authorized from FY 2027 onward).
- Formula based on state population, total apprentices, and new apprentices; minimum $1 million for most states/DC.
- States match up to half the allotted amount; extra funds proportional to matches.
- Penalties: States with slow responses (over 90/30 days average) lose up to 20% of next year's grant.
- Uses: Technical assistance, apprentice training/wages, outreach, employer incentives.
- Funds must supplement, not replace, existing state spending.
- Transparency Requirements:
- States must post online: Process for "reciprocity" (registering out-of-state programs) and state-specific standards (wages, safety, documentation instructions).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Adds a new Section 4 to the National Apprenticeship Act (redesignating old Section 4 as 5), codifying detailed registration rules, definitions, and timelines not explicitly in prior law.
- Explicitly curbs state apprenticeship councils' influence, ensuring final authority rests with the Secretary of Labor or state apprenticeship agencies (recognized state entities handling registrations).
- Introduces a new formula-based grant program with matching requirements and performance penalties, absent from previous law.
- Mandates public online disclosures for reciprocity and state standards, promoting uniformity.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Department of Labor gains reporting duties and grant administration; state agencies face stricter timelines, potential funding cuts for delays, but receive grants for expansion.
- Citizens/Workers: Faster program approvals could increase apprenticeship availability, providing paid training and pathways to skilled jobs; grants may fund more outreach and apprentice wages.
- Employers/Sponsors: Easier, quicker registration reduces delays; incentives encourage participation.
- No direct international relations impacts.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Program Sponsors: Employers, employer groups, unions, or labor-management organizations seeking to register programs.
- Apprentices: Current and potential participants benefiting from more programs and state-funded support.
- States and State Apprenticeship Agencies: Receive grants but must meet timelines and post information; states without agencies designate one for grants.
- Department of Labor/Secretary: Oversees national system, enforces timelines, awards grants, and publishes data.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Establishes enforceable timelines and definitions, potentially reducing disputes over registration delays; grant deductions act as accountability mechanisms without new mandates.
- Constitutional: Balances federal oversight with state roles (e.g., via recognized agencies), respecting federalism; no apparent free speech, due process, or equal protection issues.
- Political: Promotes workforce development amid skills gaps; ties funding to performance, incentivizing efficiency; authorization level signals commitment to scaling apprenticeships without guaranteed appropriations.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-28: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 2026-04-28: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Streamlining Timely Apprenticeship Registration and Transparency Act — issued 2026-04-28 — PDF (19 pages)