1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to veterans; expanding the purposes for the Minnesota GI Bill program 
1.3 	to include apprenticeships and on-the-job training;amending Minnesota Statutes 
1.4 	2010, section 197.791, subdivision 6, by adding a subdivision.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 197.791, is amended by adding a 
1.7 	subdivision to read:
1.8 		Subd. 5a.Apprenticeship and on-the-job training. (a) The commissioner, in 
1.9 	consultation with the commissioners of employment and economic development and labor 
1.10 	and industry, shall develop and implement an apprenticeship and on-the-job training 
1.11 	program to administer a portion of the Minnesota GI Bill program to pay benefit amounts 
1.12 	to eligible applicants, as provided in this subdivision.
1.13 	(b) An "eligible employer" means an employer operating a qualifying apprenticeship 
1.14 	or on-the-job training program that has been approved by the commissioner.
1.15 	(c) A person is eligible for apprenticeship and on-the-job training assistance under 
1.16 	this subdivision if the person meets the criteria established under subdivision 4, paragraphs 
1.17 	(a), clause (1), and (c) to (e). The amount of assistance paid to or on behalf of an eligible 
1.18 	individual under this subdivision must not exceed the following:
1.19 	(1) $2,000 per fiscal year for apprenticeship expenses;
1.20 	(2) $2,000 per fiscal year for on-the-job training;
1.21 	(3) $1,000 for a job placement credit payable to an eligible employer upon hiring 
1.22 	a person receiving assistance under this subdivision; and 
2.1 	(4) $1,000 for a job placement credit payable to an eligible employer after a person 
2.2 	receiving assistance under this subdivision has been employed by the eligible employer 
2.3 	for at least 12 consecutive months as a full-time employee.
2.4 	No more than $3,000 in aggregate benefits under this paragraph may be paid to or on 
2.5 	behalf of an individual in one fiscal year, and not more than $9,000 in aggregate benefits 
2.6 	under this paragraph may be paid to or on behalf of an individual over any period of time.
2.7 	(d) Assistance for apprenticeship expenses and on-the-job training is available for 
2.8 	qualifying programs, which must, at a minimum, meet the following criteria:
2.9 	(1) the training must be with an eligible employer;
2.10 	(2) the training must be documented and reported;
2.11 	(3) the training must reasonably be expected to lead to an entry-level position; and
2.12 	(4) the position must require at least six months of training to become fully trained.

2.13 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 197.791, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
2.14 		Subd. 6.Appropriation. The amount necessary to pay the benefit amounts 
2.15 	in subdivision 5 subdivisions 5 and 5a is appropriated from the general fund to the 
2.16 	commissioner. During any fiscal year beginning on or after July 1, 2013 2012, the amount 
2.17 	paid under this subdivision must not exceed $6,000,000.