Apprenticeships, Internships and Mentorships (AIM) Act of 2016; directing the Office of Management and Enterprise Services to obtain certain insurance coverage. Effective date. Emergency.
Impact
One of the notable changes introduced by SB195 is the obligation of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) to procure liability insurance for students participating in these initiatives. Importantly, this act prohibits OMES from charging participants or their guardians for this coverage, ensuring that financial barriers do not obstruct students' opportunities. Furthermore, the bill emphasizes that the absence of insurance or inadequate coverage does not place legal liability on students or their representatives, aiming to assuage potential concerns from stakeholders regarding participation risks in such programs.
Summary
Senate Bill 195 amends the existing Apprenticeships, Internships, and Mentorships (AIM) Act of 2016 in Oklahoma, with the goal of enhancing the participation of high school students in practical job training programs. The bill allows public, private, charter, and virtual schools to establish various agreements with private or public organizations for the creation of apprenticeship, internship, and mentorship programs. It specifies that students aged sixteen and older can participate, potentially fulfilling elective course requirements while still adhering to mandatory educational standards. This approach is intended to bolster hands-on learning experiences for students and prepare them for the workforce.
Contention
The passage of SB195 is significant because it modifies existing state law concerning educational requirements and school authority. There may be concerns regarding the state's oversight and the responsibility of schools to manage these programs effectively while ensuring student safety. Critics may question whether the implementation of these programs meets local needs adequately or if the uniform approach could lead to inconsistencies in quality and accessibility across different school types. As schools will be entrusted with setting policies for these initiatives, discussions around adequacy, safety, and the overall educational value of such experiences are likely to arise.
Carry Over
Apprenticeships, Internships and Mentorships (AIM) Act of 2016; directing the Office of Management and Enterprise Services to obtain certain insurance coverage. Effective date. Emergency.
Apprenticeships, Internships and Mentorships (AIM) Act of 2016; directing the Office of Management and Enterprise Services to obtain certain insurance coverage. Effective date. Emergency.
Central purchasing; requiring certain vendors to submit certain information with competitive bid; directing Office of Management and Enterprise Services to conduct annual audits of certain vendors. Effective date.
Career and technology education; directing the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education to establish certain pilot program beginning in certain school year. Effective date. Emergency.
Apprenticeships, Internships and Mentorships (AIM) Act of 2016; directing the Office of Management and Enterprise Services to obtain certain insurance coverage. Effective date. Emergency.