RELATING TO INTERNSHIPS.

The effective date of the Act was changed from July 1, 3000 (a placeholder) to July 1, 2050.

A new requirement was added mandating collaboration between the Department of Labor and the Department of Human Resources Development to process applications and place interns in state executive branch departments, agencies, or programs.

Redundant background findings and repetitive legal arguments regarding 'public purpose' were removed to streamline the bill, while the core legal citations were corrected for accuracy.

Section numbers and statutory references were updated to reflect the new structure, including the addition of new sections labeled 394-A and 394-B.

Added a mandatory cost-sharing requirement where private sponsors must contribute 50% of the benefits (wages and fringe benefits) for interns.

Added a new requirement for private sector sponsors to only offer internships on public sector projects.

Reordered the employer requirements, moving the wage/hour limits to a new subsection and adding a mentorship requirement.

Added a requirement for private sponsors to consult the department for assistance when an intern needs support services.

Modified eligibility rules to distinguish between high school students (max 6 weeks) and college students (max 12 weeks), and added a restriction that apprentices cannot participate.

Added a new section specifically authorizing the Department of Labor to contract with private sector employers for on-the-job training in high-demand fields like construction.

Changed the effective date of the Act from July 1, 2025 to July 1, 3000.

Replaced the original 'findings' section with a new one emphasizing the value of mentorship and the specific need to address the construction workforce shortage.