HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B. NO. 1211 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 STATE OF HAWAII A BILL FOR AN ACT Relating to Workforce Development. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B. NO. 1211
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B. NO.
1211
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to Workforce Development.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "State Internship and Workforce Development Act." SECTION 2. The legislature finds that state departments and agencies face significant challenges in filling vacant positions with qualified candidates. These staff shortages lead to inefficiencies and prevent the State from optimally fulfilling its public duties. The legislature further finds that many individuals, particularly recent graduates and those pursuing new career paths, lack opportunities to gain hands-on work experience in public service roles. This presents an opportunity for the State to support workforce development while addressing vacancies in public service positions. The legislature recognizes that a structured, state-funded internship program can serve as a pipeline for recruiting and retaining skilled workers in state government. Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish a state-funded internship program that provides participants with practical work experience, fosters interest in public service careers, and helps address workforce shortages in state departments and agencies. SECTION 3. Chapter 78, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows: "§78- State internship and workforce development program. (a) There is established within the department of human resources development the state internship and workforce development program. The department shall administer the program in conjunction with a designated coordinating agency. The program shall: (1) Provide paid internship opportunities within various state departments and agencies; (2) Prioritize placement in departments with significant workforce shortages; (3) Offer internships ranging in length from eighty-nine days to no longer than twelve months; and (4) Include comprehensive training, mentorship, and evaluation components. (b) The program shall be funded through annual appropriations by the legislature; provided that state departments utilizing interns shall contribute a portion of program costs based on the number of interns placed within the department, as determined by the department of human resources development. (c) Eligibility for the program shall be open to anyone who: (1) Is a resident of the State; (2) Is eighteen years of age or older; and (3) Meets specific criteria established by the department of human resources development and respective coordinating agencies. (d) Selection of internship participants shall be based on: (1) Academic achievement or relevant work experience; (2) Interest in public service careers; and (3) Alignment with departmental workforce needs. (e) As part of the program, internship participants shall: (1) Attend and actively participate in all required work experience training sessions; (2) Perform assigned duties and responsibilities in accordance with program guidelines; and (3) Adhere to workplace policies and procedures. (f) As part of the program, coordinating agency work sites shall: (1) Demonstrate need and an ability to employ participants following program completion; (2) Implement work experience training to ensure effective integration of interns into the workplace; (3) Abide by all rules and requirements of the program; (4) Ensure sufficient supervision and mentorship of interns to facilitate professional growth and development; (5) Provide meaningful and adequate work experience to help interns meet the requirements for employment in the relevant position; (6) Conduct regular performance evaluations of interns and provide feedback to the coordinating agency; (7) Collaborate with the department of human resources development to create career pathways for interns; and (8) Ensure that viable and vacant positions relative to the interns' field of study are available to participate in this program. (g) The department of human resource development shall: (1) Ensure that the experience gained through the program qualifies participants to apply for vacant positions of a similar level and scope within the hosting department; (2) Develop standardized guidelines to align internship duties with the qualifications required for full-time employment; (3) Provide ongoing support to coordinating agencies to ensure compliance with program objectives; and (4) Collaborate with coordinating agencies to create career pathways for interns. (h) As part of the program, participants shall receive: (1) A stipend or hourly wage commensurate with the role and duration of the internship; (2) Opportunities for professional development and skills training; and (3) Priority consideration for full-time employment in state government. (i) Each coordinating agency shall: (1) Develop performance metrics to evaluate the program's effectiveness in reducing workforce shortages; (2) Provide data on intern performance and retention rates for program evaluation; and (3) Submit an annual report to the legislature no later than twenty days before the convening of each regular session, detailing program participation, costs, and outcomes. (j) As used in this section: "Coordinating agency" means the participating State of Hawaii department, agency, or office hosting and employing an intern program participant. "Eligible participant" means an individual who meets established guidelines for participation in the program, including recent high school graduates, college students, post‑graduate students, and individuals seeking to transition into public service careers. "Internship program" or "program" means the State internship and workforce development program established pursuant to this section. "Participant" means an individual accepted into the internship program." SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored. SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval. INTRODUCED BY: _____________________________
SECTION 1. This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "State Internship and Workforce Development Act."
SECTION 2. The legislature finds that state departments and agencies face significant challenges in filling vacant positions with qualified candidates. These staff shortages lead to inefficiencies and prevent the State from optimally fulfilling its public duties.
The legislature further finds that many individuals, particularly recent graduates and those pursuing new career paths, lack opportunities to gain hands-on work experience in public service roles. This presents an opportunity for the State to support workforce development while addressing vacancies in public service positions. The legislature recognizes that a structured, state-funded internship program can serve as a pipeline for recruiting and retaining skilled workers in state government.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish a state-funded internship program that provides participants with practical work experience, fosters interest in public service careers, and helps address workforce shortages in state departments and agencies.
SECTION 3. Chapter 78, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§78- State internship and workforce development program. (a) There is established within the department of human resources development the state internship and workforce development program. The department shall administer the program in conjunction with a designated coordinating agency. The program shall:
(1) Provide paid internship opportunities within various state departments and agencies;
(2) Prioritize placement in departments with significant workforce shortages;
(3) Offer internships ranging in length from eighty-nine days to no longer than twelve months; and
(4) Include comprehensive training, mentorship, and evaluation components.
(b) The program shall be funded through annual appropriations by the legislature; provided that state departments utilizing interns shall contribute a portion of program costs based on the number of interns placed within the department, as determined by the department of human resources development.
(c) Eligibility for the program shall be open to anyone who:
(1) Is a resident of the State;
(2) Is eighteen years of age or older; and
(3) Meets specific criteria established by the department of human resources development and respective coordinating agencies.
(d) Selection of internship participants shall be based on:
(1) Academic achievement or relevant work experience;
(2) Interest in public service careers; and
(3) Alignment with departmental workforce needs.
(e) As part of the program, internship participants shall:
(1) Attend and actively participate in all required work experience training sessions;
(2) Perform assigned duties and responsibilities in accordance with program guidelines; and
(3) Adhere to workplace policies and procedures.
(f) As part of the program, coordinating agency work sites shall:
(1) Demonstrate need and an ability to employ participants following program completion;
(2) Implement work experience training to ensure effective integration of interns into the workplace;
(3) Abide by all rules and requirements of the program;
(4) Ensure sufficient supervision and mentorship of interns to facilitate professional growth and development;
(5) Provide meaningful and adequate work experience to help interns meet the requirements for employment in the relevant position;
(6) Conduct regular performance evaluations of interns and provide feedback to the coordinating agency;
(7) Collaborate with the department of human resources development to create career pathways for interns; and
(8) Ensure that viable and vacant positions relative to the interns' field of study are available to participate in this program.
(g) The department of human resource development shall:
(1) Ensure that the experience gained through the program qualifies participants to apply for vacant positions of a similar level and scope within the hosting department;
(2) Develop standardized guidelines to align internship duties with the qualifications required for full-time employment;
(3) Provide ongoing support to coordinating agencies to ensure compliance with program objectives; and
(4) Collaborate with coordinating agencies to create career pathways for interns.
(h) As part of the program, participants shall receive:
(1) A stipend or hourly wage commensurate with the role and duration of the internship;
(2) Opportunities for professional development and skills training; and
(3) Priority consideration for full-time employment in state government.
(i) Each coordinating agency shall:
(1) Develop performance metrics to evaluate the program's effectiveness in reducing workforce shortages;
(2) Provide data on intern performance and retention rates for program evaluation; and
(3) Submit an annual report to the legislature no later than twenty days before the convening of each regular session, detailing program participation, costs, and outcomes.
(j) As used in this section:
"Coordinating agency" means the participating State of Hawaii department, agency, or office hosting and employing an intern program participant.
"Eligible participant" means an individual who meets established guidelines for participation in the program, including recent high school graduates, college students, post‑graduate students, and individuals seeking to transition into public service careers.
"Internship program" or "program" means the State internship and workforce development program established pursuant to this section.
"Participant" means an individual accepted into the internship program."
SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
INTRODUCED BY: _____________________________
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title: DHRD; State Internship and Workforce Development Act; Internships; Public Service; State Departments and Agencies; Workforce Development; Vacancies; Shortages; Experience Description: Establishes within the Department of Human Resources Development the state internship and workforce development program. The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
Report Title:
DHRD; State Internship and Workforce Development Act; Internships; Public Service; State Departments and Agencies; Workforce Development; Vacancies; Shortages; Experience
Description:
Establishes within the Department of Human Resources Development the state internship and workforce development program.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.