82R4135 KJM-D
By: Walle H.B. No. 1155
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment by the Texas Workforce Commission of
a pilot program to create voluntary internship opportunities for
certain persons receiving unemployment benefits.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 302, Labor Code, is
amended by adding Section 302.018 to read as follows:
Sec. 302.018. VOLUNTARY INTERNSHIP PILOT PROGRAM. (a) In
this section:
(1) "Eligible business" means an entity engaged in
commercial activity, other than this state or a political
subdivision of this state, subject to Subtitle C, Title 5, that:
(A) has workers' compensation insurance
coverage;
(B) is not engaged in a high-risk industry or
occupation as determined by the commission; and
(C) is designated as eligible to participate in
the pilot program by the executive director.
(2) "Intern" means an individual receiving
unemployment benefits under Chapter 207 or 209 who returns to the
workforce in an unpaid capacity as part of the pilot program.
(3) "Pilot program" means the voluntary internship
pilot program created under this section.
(b) The commission shall establish and implement a
voluntary internship pilot program in which an individual receiving
unemployment benefits under Chapter 207 or 209 may participate in
an unpaid internship with an eligible business without being denied
unemployment benefits.
(c) Eligible businesses and potential interns must register
with the commission in order to participate in the pilot program.
(d) An intern enrolled in the pilot program may work for an
eligible business for not more than eight weeks and not more than 32
hours per week.
(e) The commission shall provide eligible businesses and
potential interns with information on the legal requirements
necessary for an eligible business to engage the services of an
intern in an unpaid capacity.
(f) Not later than January 1, 2013, the commission shall
report to the legislature regarding the commission's:
(1) assessment of the effectiveness of the pilot
program in returning participants to paid positions in the
workforce; and
(2) recommendation regarding the continuation of the
pilot program.
(g) The commission may adopt rules necessary for the
administration of the pilot program.
(h) This section expires September 1, 2013.
SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 207, Labor Code, is
amended by adding Section 207.0221 to read as follows:
Sec. 207.0221. COMMISSION-APPROVED INTERNSHIP PROGRAM.
(a) An individual may not be denied benefits because the individual
is participating in the voluntary internship pilot program under
Section 302.018 with the approval of the commission.
(b) An individual may not be denied benefits for a benefit
period in which the individual is participating in the voluntary
internship pilot program with the approval of the commission
because of the provisions of Section 207.021 relating to the
individual's:
(1) availability for work;
(2) active search for work; or
(3) refusal to apply for or refusal to accept suitable
work.
(c) Approval of participation in the voluntary internship
pilot program must be obtained as required by rules adopted by the
commission.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2011.