On February 5, Executive Director Michael Sanderson testified before the Government, Labor, and Elections Committee in opposition to HB 203 – Labor and Employment – Training Repayment Agreements – Prohibition.
This bill would broadly prohibit employers, including county governments, from entering into training repayment agreements with employees.
Mr. Sanderson emphasized that these agreements, signed openly by both parties, are often an essential tool in recruiting and retaining public sector staff, notably in public service professions. “We are working very hard to hire EMTs… and 9-1-1 specialists… who need training to do those jobs. But we cannot afford to train a new staff person only to see them leave for a better opportunity as an already-trained hire.”
The committee discussion around the bill included mention of a potential narrowing to only exclude training agreements posed as a condition of continued employment, rather than at the time of hiring.
Many counties rely on training repayment agreements as a
limited and targeted tool to protect substantial public investments in employees who receive costly, specialized training as a condition of employment. Counties routinely fund pre-employment screenings, academy training, certifications, and licensing for critical public safety and public works positions, including correctional officers, deputy sheriffs, 9-1-1 dispatchers, and road workers.
More on MACo’s Advocacy:
