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Statement of Need: Federal regulations for Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) in Apprenticeship and Training have not been updated since first promulgated in 1978. Updates to these regulations are necessary to ensure that DOL regulatory requirements governing the National Registered Apprenticeship System are consistent with the current state of EEO law, including affirmative action, the passage of, for example, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and recent revisions to Title 29 CFR part 29, regulations for Apprenticeship Programs and Labor Standards for Registration.

Summary of the Legal Basis: These regulations are authorized by the National Apprenticeship Act of 1937 (29 U.S.C. 50) and the Copeland Act (40 U.S.C. 276c). These regulations will set forth policies and procedures to promote equality of opportunity in apprenticeship programs registered with the U.S. Department of Labor or in State Apprenticeship Agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Alternatives: The public will be afforded an opportunity to provide comments on the proposed amendment to Apprenticeship EEO regulations when the Department publishes a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register. A Final Rule will be issued after analysis and incorporation of public comments to the NRPM.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits: Preliminary estimates of anticipated costs and benefits of this regulatory action have not been determined at this time. The Department will explore options for conducting a cost-benefit analysis for this regulatory action, if necessary.