SENATE BILL 317

57th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2025

INTRODUCED BY

Craig W. Brandt

 

 

 

 

 

AN ACT

RELATING TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT; CREATING THE YOUTH INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM; PROVIDING FOR THE PAYMENT OF WAGES FOR APPRENTICESHIPS AND INTERNSHIPS FOR SIXTEEN- TO EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLDS; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. [NEW MATERIAL] YOUTH INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM--ELIGIBILITY--APPLICATION--MONITORING AND STANDARDS--REPORTING AND EVALUATION.--

          A. As used in this section:

                (1) "America's job center New Mexico" means a regional workforce center established pursuant to the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to support workforce development initiatives;

                (2) "participant" means a person aged sixteen to eighteen who is a resident of New Mexico and is actively enrolled in an approved program;

                (3) "program" means the youth internship opportunity program; and

                (4) "registered internships or apprenticeships" means formal training programs approved by an America's job center New Mexico.

          B. The "youth internship opportunity program" is created in America's job centers New Mexico under the direction of the local workforce development boards. The program's purpose is to:

                (1) increase youth employment opportunities;

                (2) develop in-demand skills in industries such as health care, trades, information technology and agriculture; and

                (3) foster workforce readiness and enhance New Mexico's professional and occupational talent pipeline.

          C. Internships or apprenticeships shall be registered with the applicable America's job center New Mexico.

          D. Employers seeking participation in the program shall submit a job description and meet eligibility requirements established by the applicable center in consultation with the applicable local workforce development boards and the workforce solutions department, including safety, licensing and insurance requirements.

          E. Youths seeking participation in the program shall apply through a process that prioritizes:

                (1) low-income or at-risk youth;

                (2) underserved populations; and

                (3) students enrolled in career technical education courses during the school year.

          F. Participants will be employees of the applicable America's job center New Mexico to work on-site at an approved employer. The center shall match participants with eligible employers.

          G. Participants shall receive an hourly wage of between fifteen dollars ($15.00) to seventeen dollars ($17.00) per hour, paid biweekly for up to four hundred hours. Biweekly wage statements shall be processed upon submission of completed timesheets and employer meetings with the participant's mentor or supervisor to verify progress. The America's job center New Mexico shall provide worker's compensation for each participant.

          H. Participants are required to achieve measurable skills or certifications, and employers shall designate qualified mentors or supervisors for each participant. Employers shall ensure workplace safety and adhere to all state labor laws.

          I. The America's job center New Mexico shall:

                (1) track and monitor:

                     (a) participant progress and outcomes;

                     (b) employer satisfaction; and

                     (c) participants' achievement of learning objectives;

                (2) collect program data, including:

                     (a) demographic information of participants;

                     (b) the number of registered internships or apprenticeships completed; and

                     (c) the industry sectors represented;

                (3) routinely evaluate the program to assess effectiveness and guide improvements; and

                (4) submit annual reports to the governor and the legislature, including:

                     (a) total program expenditures and number of participants; and

                     (b) participant outcomes, including employment, certifications earned and post-program activities.

     SECTION 2. APPROPRIATION.--Twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the workforce solutions department for expenditure in fiscal years 2025 through 2027 for America's job centers New Mexico to conduct youth internship opportunity programs. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2027 shall revert to the general fund.