Bill > HB528

This bill establishes a High School Internship Grant Program designed to create paid internship opportunities for high school students in New Mexico. The program will be administered by the Workforce Solutions Department and involves creating a new fund with $10 million from the general fund. Host organizations (which can include corporations, nonprofits, government agencies, schools, and tribal entities) must apply to participate and agree to contribute financially towards internship costs. Internship programs will be responsible for recruiting students, placing them with host organizations, managing payments, and tracking key metrics like completion rates and post-internship placement. To qualify, host organizations must provide details about their internship positions, including tasks, skills development, and work schedules, while internship programs must demonstrate their ability to support interns through services like career counseling and financial literacy training. The bill requires annual reporting to a legislative committee starting in 2026 and mandates that the department create rules for program implementation. The goal is to provide meaningful work experiences for high school students that help develop their professional skills and potentially improve their future career prospects.

Education

https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=H&legtype=B&legno=528&year=25