Bill > HB1469

This bill establishes comprehensive criteria for unpaid student internships in Hawaii, seeking to protect students from exploitation by for-profit companies while providing clear guidelines for legitimate educational internship programs. The legislation defines a valid unpaid internship as one that must be primarily educational in nature, with specific requirements including: the training must be similar to an educational program, benefit the student, involve close supervision without displacing regular employees, not guarantee future employment, provide written notification that no wages will be paid, ensure clinical training is supervised by experienced professionals, exclude employee benefits, offer general training applicable across similar businesses, use a screening process distinct from employment hiring, and advertise the opportunity as an educational experience. The bill defines a "student" as someone enrolled at least part-time in a secondary or post-secondary educational institution, or completing degree requirements, and clarifies that student status continues during school breaks. By codifying these criteria, the bill aims to prevent businesses from using unpaid internships as a means of obtaining free labor, while preserving legitimate educational training opportunities for students.

Labor and Employment

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1469&year=2026