An Act To Amend Title 24 Of The Delaware Code Relating To The Board Of Electrical Examiners.
Summary
SB 102 amends Delaware’s electrician licensing law in Title 24, Chapter 14, by updating definitions and expanding the Board of Electrical Examiners’ authority to evaluate applicants for several electrician classifications, including a new school apprentice electrician category. The bill also revises licensure requirements for apprentice electricians, allowing some apprentices to qualify through Board-approved vocational school programs and creating a separate pathway for school apprentice electricians enrolled in vocational high school programs.
The bill changes renewal rules for apprentice licenses by limiting renewal and setting a five-year maximum term for apprentice electrician licenses issued or held under the new framework, with possible one-year extensions for good cause to complete an approved apprenticeship. It also exempts school apprentice electrician licenses from renewal so long as the holder remains enrolled in the qualifying vocational program or reaches age 18, whichever is later. The bill clarifies that apprentice and student apprentice electricians must work under direct onsite supervision of a licensed electrician, and that the supervising electrician is responsible for their work.
Impact
SB 102 directly affects Delaware’s occupational licensing scheme for electricians by modifying eligibility, renewal, and supervision rules for apprentices and by adding a school-based apprenticeship category. It changes how the Board of Electrical Examiners reviews applicants, how long apprentice licenses may remain valid, and what training pathways can satisfy licensure requirements. The bill also affects vocational schools, apprenticeship programs, licensed electricians who supervise trainees, and individuals seeking entry into the electrical trade.
Sentiment
The available voting record shows strong bipartisan support and no recorded opposition: the Senate passed the bill 17-0 and the House passed it 40-0. No committee transcript is available, but the unanimous votes suggest the bill was viewed favorably as a workforce and licensing update rather than a controversial policy change. The overall sentiment appears positive and pragmatic, with support for expanding structured training pathways while maintaining oversight and supervision standards.
Contention
There is little evidence of major contention in the available record, given the unanimous votes in both chambers and the absence of recorded committee debate. The main policy choices embedded in the bill are the new limits on apprentice license renewal, the five-year cap for apprentice licenses, and the creation of a school apprentice pathway tied to vocational high school enrollment. Any concerns would likely center on whether these changes sufficiently balance workforce development with public safety and licensing standards, but no specific objections are documented here.