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WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 532
Chapter 532
(Senate Bill 673)
AN ACT concerning
State Procurement – Apprenticeship Program Accountability and Completion
FOR the purpose of requiring certain apprenticeship programs utilized in certain State
procurements to have at least a certain completion rate, as determined by the
Maryland Department of Labor; and generally relating to the use of apprentices in
State procurement.
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article – State Finance and Procurement
Section 14–801, 14–802, 17–201, 17–205, 17–601(b), and 17–6A–01(f) 17–601, and
17–6A–01
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement)
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments,
Article – State Finance and Procurement
Section 17–601(a), (e), (f), (g), and (h), 17–602, 17–603(a), 17–604(a), 17–6A–01(a),
(d), and (e), and 17–6A–02(a)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement)
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:
Article – State Finance and Procurement
14–801.
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(B) “APPRENTICESHIP COHORT” MEANS A GROUP OF APPRENTICES
REGISTERED WITH A SPECIFIC APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM DURING A 1–YEAR
PERIOD, EXCLUDING ANY APPRENTICES TERMINATED DURING THEIR
PROBATIONARY PERIOD.
(C) “COMPLETION RATE” MEANS:
(1) FOR GROUP NONJOINT APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS, THE
PERCENTAGE OF AN APPRENTICESHIP COHORT PER EMPLOYER THAT RECEIVES A
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Ch. 532 2026 LAWS OF MARYLAND
CERTIFICATE OF APPRENTICESHIP COMPLETION WITHIN 1 YEAR AFTER THE
PROJECTED COMPLETION DATE; OR
(2) FOR GROUP JOINT, INDIVIDUAL NONJOINT, INDIVIDUAL JOINT,
AND WAIVER APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS, THE PERCENTAGE OF AN
APPRENTICESHIP COHORT FOR THE PROGRAM THAT RECEIVES A CERTIFICATE OF
APPRENTICESHIP COMPLETION WITHIN 1 YEAR AFTER THE PROJECTED
COMPLETION DATE.
(b) (D) “Covered procurement” means a procurement contract that:
(1) meets the criteria established by the Chief Procurement Officer, in
consultation with the Secretary and, for contracts subject to Title 3.5 of this article, the
Secretary of Information Technology, under § 14–802 of this subtitle; and
(2) is not a public work contract subject to § 17–202 of this article.
(c) (E) “Department” means the Maryland Department of Labor.
(d) (F) “Eligible internship program” means an internship program that
requires a contractor or other entity to provide paid internships that meet standards
established by the Secretary.
(e) “Registered apprenticeship program” means an apprenticeship program that:
(1) is registered with and approved by the Division of Workforce
Development and Adult Learning; AND
(2) HAS A COMPLETION RATE OF AT LEAST 25%, AS DETERMINED BY
THE DEPARTMENT.
(G) “GROUP JOINT APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM” MEANS AN
APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM THAT HAS A COMMITTEE, COMPOSED OF AN EQUAL
NUMBER OF REPRESENTATIVES OF EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES, THAT HAS BEEN
JOINTLY ESTABLISHED BY AN EMPLOYER OR GROUP OF EMPLOYERS AND A
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGENT OR AGENTS.
(H) “GROUP NONJOINT APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM” MEANS AN
APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM SPONSORED BY TWO OR MORE EMPLOYERS WITHOUT
THE PARTICIPATION OF A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGENT.
(I) “INDIVIDUAL JOINT APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM” MEANS AN
APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM SPONSORED BY ONE EMPLOYER WITH THE
PARTICIPATION OF A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGENT.
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WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 532
(J) “INDIVIDUAL NONJOINT APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM” MEANS AN
APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM SPONSORED BY ONE EMPLOYER WITHOUT THE
PARTICIPATION OF A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGENT.
(K) “REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM” MEANS AN
APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM THAT:
(1) IS REGISTERED WITH AND APPROVED BY THE DIVISION OF
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND ADULT LEARNING; AND
(2) IF THE PROGRAM HAS GRADUATED AT LEAST ONE
APPRENTICESHIP COHORT, HAS A COMPLETION RATE OF AT LEAST 25%, AS
VERIFIED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
(f) (L) “Secretary” means the Secretary of Labor.
(M) “WAIVER APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM” MEANS AN APPRENTICESHIP
PROGRAM SPONSORED BY AN INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP OF EMPLOYERS WHERE THE
APPLICABLE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGENT WAIVED PARTICIPATION.
14–802.
(a) This subtitle applies to a covered procurement made by a unit.
(b) A contractor awarded a covered procurement with an estimated total dollar
value of $1,000,000 or more shall utilize A REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM OR
an eligible internship program.
(c) [A contractor awarded a covered procurement shall utilize a registered
apprenticeship program.
(d)] The Chief Procurement Officer, in consultation with the Secretary and, for
contracts subject to Title 3.5 of this article, the Secretary of Information Technology:
(1) shall adopt regulations establishing the definition of “covered
procurement”; and
(2) may adopt:
(i) regulations to improve the recruitment or skills of employees of
vendors; or
(ii) other regulations necessary to carry out this subtitle, including
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Ch. 532 2026 LAWS OF MARYLAND
17–201.
(a) In this subtitle, unless the context indicates otherwise, the following words
have the meanings indicated.
(b) “Apprentice” means an individual who:
(1) is at least 16 years old;
(2) has signed with an employer or employer’s agent, an association of
employers, an organization of employees, or a joint committee from both, an agreement
including a statement of:
(i) the trade, craft, or occupation that the individual is learning; and
(ii) the beginning and ending dates of the apprenticeship; and
(3) is registered in a program of the Council or the Office of Apprenticeship
of the United States Department of Labor.
(c) “APPRENTICESHIP COHORT” HAS THE MEANING STATED IN § 14–801 OF
THIS ARTICLE.
(D) “Commissioner” means:
(1) the Commissioner of Labor and Industry;
(2) the Deputy Commissioner of Labor and Industry; or
(3) an authorized representative of the Commissioner.
(E) “COMPLETION RATE” HAS THE MEANING STATED IN § 14–801 OF THIS
ARTICLE.
[(d)] (F) “Construction” includes all:
(1) building;
(2) reconstructing;
(3) improving;
(4) enlarging;
(5) painting and decorating;
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WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 532
(6) altering;
(7) maintaining;
(8) repairing; and
(9) services provided under a mechanical systems service contract.
[(e)] (G) “Council” means the Apprenticeship and Training Council.
[(f)] (H) (1) “Employee” means an apprentice or worker employed by a
contractor or subcontractor under a public work contract.
(2) “Employee” does not include an individual employed by a public body.
(I) “GROUP JOINT APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM” HAS THE MEANING
STATED IN § 14–801 OF THIS ARTICLE.
(J) “GROUP NONJOINT APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM” HAS THE MEANING
STATED IN § 14–801 OF THIS ARTICLE.
(K) “INDIVIDUAL JOINT APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM” HAS THE MEANING
STATED IN § 14–801 OF THIS ARTICLE.
(L) “INDIVIDUAL NONJOINT APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM” HAS THE
MEANING STATED IN § 14–801 OF THIS ARTICLE.
[(g)] (M) (1) “Locality” means the county in which the work is to be performed.
(2) If the public work is located within 2 or more counties, the locality
includes all counties in which the public work is located.
[(h)] (N) “Mechanical systems service contract” means a contract for:
(1) HVAC systems, including heating, ventilation, ductwork, and
cooling/air–conditioning equipment;
(2) refrigeration systems;
(3) plumbing systems, including pipes, tanks, fittings, and other elements
that control the water and gas supply, heating, and sanitation of a building;
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Ch. 532 2026 LAWS OF MARYLAND
(4) electrical systems, including electrical components that supply,
distribute, generate, and use electrical power, overhead and underground lines, poles,
transformers, and other related equipment; and
(5) elevator systems, including escalators, moving walkways, and other
conveyances.
[(i)] (O) “Prevailing wage rate” means the hourly rate of wages paid in the
locality as determined by the Commissioner under § 17–208 of this subtitle.
[(j)] (P) (1) “Public body” means:
(i) the State;
(ii) except as provided in paragraph (2)(i) of this subsection, a unit of
the State government or instrumentality of the State;
(iii) any political subdivision, agency, person, or entity with respect
to the construction of any public work for which 25% or more of the money used for
construction is State money;
(iv) notwithstanding paragraph (2)(ii) of this subsection, a political
subdivision if its governing body:
1. provides by ordinance or resolution that the political
subdivision is covered by this subtitle; and
2. gives written notice of that ordinance or resolution to the
Commissioner; and
(v) the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission.
(2) “Public body” does not include:
(i) except as provided in paragraph (1)(v) of this subsection, a unit
of the State government or instrumentality of the State funded wholly from a source other
than the State; or
(ii) any political subdivision, agency, person, or entity with respect
to the construction of any public work for which less than 25% of the money used for
construction is State money.
[(k)] (Q) (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, “public work” means
a structure or work, including a bridge, building, ditch, road, alley, waterwork, or sewage
disposal plant, that:
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WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 532
(i) is constructed for public use or benefit; or
(ii) is paid for wholly or partly by public money.
(2) “Public work” does not include:
(i) unless let to contract, a structure or work whose construction is
performed by a public service company under order of the Public Service Commission or
other public authority regardless of:
1. public supervision or direction; or
2. payment wholly or partly from public money; or
(ii) a capital project that receives State funds in the annual State
capital budget as:
1. a local House of Delegates initiative; or
2. a local Senate initiative.
[(l)] (R) “Public work contract” means a contract for construction of a public
work.
(S) “WAIVER APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM” HAS THE MEANING STATED IN §
14–801 OF THIS ARTICLE.
[(m)] (T) “Worker” means a laborer or mechanic.
17–205.
(a) A contractor or subcontractor under a public work contract subject to this
subtitle:
(1) shall employ only competent workers and apprentices who qualify
under subsection (b) of this section;
(2) may not employ any individual classified as a helper or trainee; and
(3) may refuse to employ a worker who is a resident of another state if the
Commissioner finds that the other state enforces a law that prohibits a resident of this
State from employment as a worker under a public work contract in that state, unless:
(i) the refusal is in conflict or otherwise inconsistent with a federal
law applicable to the public work;
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Ch. 532 2026 LAWS OF MARYLAND
(ii) the federal government is to pay wholly or partly for the public
work; and
(iii) the inconsistency with federal law jeopardizes the availability of
federal funds for the public work.
(b) An apprentice under a public work contract shall be part of and used in
accordance with an apprenticeship program THAT:
(1) IS registered with the Council and approved by the Office of
Apprenticeship of the United States Department of Labor; AND
(2) IF THE PROGRAM HAS GRADUATED AT LEAST ONE
APPRENTICESHIP COHORT, HAS A COMPLETION RATE OF AT LEAST 25%, AS
DETERMINED BY THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.
17–601.
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b) “Apprenticeship training program” means an apprenticeship training
program that:
(1) is registered with, and approved by, the Apprenticeship and Training
Council or the U.S. Department of Labor; AND
(2) HAS A COMPLETION RATE OF AT LEAST 25%, AS DETERMINED BY
THE DEPARTMENT.
(e) “Department” means the Maryland Department of Labor.
(f) “Fund” means the State Apprenticeship Training Fund established under §
17–602 of this subtitle.
(g) “Participates in an apprenticeship training program” means that a contractor
or subcontractor makes regular financial contributions for each covered craft to
apprenticeship training programs for covered crafts during the term of the covered project
that are at least equal to the hourly fringe benefit contribution rates required for
apprenticeship training by the applicable prevailing wage determination for the project, as
specified by the Secretary.
(h) “Secretary” means the Secretary of Labor.
17–601.
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WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 532
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b) “APPRENTICESHIP COHORT” HAS THE MEANING STATED IN § 14–801 OF
THIS ARTICLE.
(C) “Apprenticeship training program” means an apprenticeship training
program that:
(1) is registered with, and approved by, the Apprenticeship and Training
Council or the U.S. Department of Labor; AND
(2) IF THE PROGRAM HAS GRADUATED AT LEAST ONE
APPRENTICESHIP COHORT, HAS A COMPLETION RATE OF AT LEAST 25%, AS
VERIFIED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
(D) “COMPLETION RATE” HAS THE MEANING STATED IN § 14–801 OF THIS
ARTICLE.
[(c)] (E) “Covered craft” means a classification of workers listed in the prevailing
wage determination applicable to the covered project.
[(d)] (F) “Covered project” means a project for the construction of a public work,
as defined under § 17–201 of this title, that is valued at $500,000 or more.
[(e)] (G) “Department” means the Maryland Department of Labor.
[(f)] (H) “Fund” means the State Apprenticeship Training Fund established
under § 17–602 of this subtitle.
(I) “GROUP JOINT APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM” HAS THE MEANING
STATED IN § 14–801 OF THIS ARTICLE.
(J) “GROUP NONJOINT APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM” HAS THE MEANING
STATED IN § 14–801 OF THIS ARTICLE.
(K) “INDIVIDUAL JOINT APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM” HAS THE MEANING
STATED IN § 14–801 OF THIS ARTICLE.
(L) “INDIVIDUAL NONJOINT APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM” HAS THE
MEANING STATED IN § 14–801 OF THIS ARTICLE.
[(g)] (M) “Participates in an apprenticeship training program” means that a
contractor or subcontractor makes regular financial contributions for each covered craft to
apprenticeship training programs for covered crafts during the term of the covered project
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Ch. 532 2026 LAWS OF MARYLAND
that are at least equal to the hourly fringe benefit contribution rates required for
apprenticeship training by the applicable prevailing wage determination for the project, as
specified by the Secretary.
[(h)] (N) “Secretary” means the Secretary of Labor.
(O) “WAIVER APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM” HAS THE MEANING STATED IN §
14–801 OF THIS ARTICLE.
17–602.
(a) There is a State Apprenticeship Training Fund in the Department.
(b) The Fund consists of:
(1) payments made by contractors or subcontractors in accordance with
this subtitle and Subtitle 6A of this title;
(2) penalties collected as a result of violations of this subtitle and Subtitle
6A of this title; and
(3) penalties collected as a result of violations of Title 14, Subtitle 8 of this
article.
(c) The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of this
article.
(d) The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the Comptroller shall
account for the Fund.
(e) The Secretary shall use money in the fund to:
(1) promote preapprenticeship programs and other workforce development
programs in the State’s public secondary schools and community colleges that assist
students in preparing for and entering apprenticeship training programs; and
(2) pay any costs associated with carrying out the provisions of this subtitle
and Subtitle 6A of this title or Title 14, Subtitle 8 of this article.
17–603.
(a) A contractor that is awarded a procurement contract for a covered project shall
provide to a unit, as a condition of receiving the contract, written verification that:
(1) the contractor participates in an apprenticeship training program for
each covered craft in which it will employ persons for the covered project;
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WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 532
(2) the contractor will make payments to the Fund; or
(3) the contractor will make payments in amounts determined under §
17–605 of this subtitle to a registered apprenticeship program or to an organization that
has registered apprenticeship programs for the purpose of supporting these programs.
17–604.
(a) A subcontractor that performs work at a value exceeding the small
procurement amount specified in § 13–109 of this article for a covered project shall provide
to a unit written verification that:
(1) the subcontractor participates in an apprenticeship training program
for each covered craft in which it will employ persons for the covered project;
(2) the subcontractor will make payments to the Fund; or
(3) the subcontractor will make payments in amounts determined under §
17–605 of this subtitle to a registered apprenticeship program or to an organization that
has registered apprenticeship programs for the purpose of supporting these programs.
17–6A–01.
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(d) “Department” means the Maryland Department of Labor.
(e) “Fund” means the State Apprenticeship Training Fund established under §
17–602 of this title.
(f) “Registered apprenticeship program” means an apprenticeship program that:
(1) is registered with, and approved by, the Department or the United
States Department of Labor; AND
(2) HAS A COMPLETION RATE OF AT LEAST 25%, AS DETERMINED BY
THE DEPARTMENT.
17–6A–01.
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(B) “APPRENTICESHIP COHORT” HAS THE MEANING STATED IN § 14–801 OF
THIS ARTICLE.
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Ch. 532 2026 LAWS OF MARYLAND
(C) “COMPLETION RATE” HAS THE MEANING STATED IN § 14–801 OF THIS
ARTICLE.
[(b)] (D) “Construction” includes:
(1) building;
(2) reconstructing;
(3) improving;
(4) enlarging;
(5) painting and decorating;
(6) altering;
(7) maintaining; and
(8) repairing.
[(c)] (E) (1) “Covered contract” means a contract:
(i) for a capital construction project funded with at least $1,000,000
of funds in the State capital budget;
(ii) entered into by the recipient of the funding in the State capital
budget and a contractor, or the contractor and a subcontractor; and
(iii) for an amount of $500,000 or more.
(2) “Covered contract” does not include a contract for a covered project as
defined in § 17–601(d) of this title.
[(d)] (F) “Department” means the Maryland Department of Labor.
[(e)] (G) “Fund” means the State Apprenticeship Training Fund established
under § 17–602 of this title.
(H) “GROUP JOINT APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM” HAS THE MEANING
STATED IN § 14–801 OF THIS ARTICLE.
(I) “GROUP NONJOINT APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM” HAS THE MEANING
STATED IN § 14–801 OF THIS ARTICLE.
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WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 532
(J) “INDIVIDUAL JOINT APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM” HAS THE MEANING
STATED IN § 14–801 OF THIS ARTICLE.
(K) “INDIVIDUAL NONJOINT APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM” HAS THE
MEANING STATED IN § 14–801 OF THIS ARTICLE.
[(f)] (L) “Registered apprenticeship program” means an apprenticeship
program that:
(1) is registered with, and approved by, the Department or the United
States Department of Labor; AND
(2) IF THE PROGRAM HAS GRADUATED AT LEAST ONE
APPRENTICESHIP COHORT, HAS A COMPLETION RATE OF AT LEAST 25%, AS
VERIFIED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
[(g)] (M) “Secretary” means the Secretary of Labor.
(N) “WAIVER APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM” HAS THE MEANING STATED IN §
14–801 OF THIS ARTICLE.
17–6A–02.
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, each contractor or
subcontractor awarded a covered contract shall:
(1) (i) be affiliated with a registered apprenticeship program; and
(ii) use apprentices from a registered apprenticeship program for
each craft or trade in which the contractor or subcontractor employs persons to complete
the covered contract;
(2) make payments to the Fund; or
(3) make payments in amounts determined under § 17–6A–03 of this
subtitle to a registered apprenticeship program for the purpose of supporting the program.
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
October 1, 2026.
Approved by the Governor, May 12, 2026.
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