SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any general or special laws to the contrary, there shall be established a commission to examine the feasibility of implementing a youth apprenticeship program in the commonwealth. The commission shall recommend best practices for developing a youth apprenticeship program in order to expand pre-apprenticeship opportunities and training to secondary education students. These recommendations may include education requirements, methods of training and qualification, and employer standards.

The commission shall consist of the following members: the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on labor and workforce development, who shall serve as co-chairs of the commission; the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on education; 6 people shall be appointed by the governor; 2 people shall be members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; 2 people shall be members of the senate appointed by the president of the senate; 1 person shall be a member of the department of education; 1 person shall be a member of the executive office of workforce development; and 1 person shall be a member of the apprenticeship advisory group.

The first meeting of the commission shall convene within 30 days of the effective date of this act. The commission shall meet not less frequently than quarterly thereafter and shall deliver a report of its findings and recommended policies or legislation to the joint committee on education and the joint committee on labor and workforce development.