Authority, Purpose, and Scope

(1) Authority. 454 CMR 26.00 is promulgated under the authority of M.G.L. c. 23, §§ 1, and 11E through 11W. (2) Purpose. 454 CMR 26.00 establishes: (a) Criteria under which the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development Department of Labor Standards’ Division of Apprentice Standards may continue to be recognized as an appropriate agency for registering local apprentice programs for federal purposes pursuant to the Fitzgerald Act, 29 U.S.C. 50 and the federal regulations promulgated thereunder, 29 CFR 29.1 through 29.14; (b) Minimum standards governing apprenticeship in Massachusetts to maintain the integrity of employment-based training programs and to safeguard the welfare of Massachusetts apprentices; (c) Application procedures and requirements for obtaining status as a Massachusetts registered apprentice program; (d) Procedures for redressing noncompliance by apprentices or apprentice program sponsors with any Massachusetts or federal law governing apprenticeship; and (e) Notice and recordkeeping requirements with which all registered apprentice programs must comply. (3) Scope. 454 CMR 26.00 shall apply to any person, firm, corporation, or other entity that applies for registration of an apprentice program with the Division of Apprentice Standards, or enters into apprenticeship arrangements with registered apprentice program sponsors or apprentices.