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HB1211
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B. NO.
1211
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating
to Workforce Development
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
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SECTION 1.
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This Act shall
be known and may be cited as the "State Internship and Workforce Development
Act."
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SECTION 2.
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The legislature finds that state departments and agencies face
significant challenges in filling vacant positions with qualified candidates.
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These staff shortages lead to inefficiencies and
prevent the State from optimally fulfilling its public duties.
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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.
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This presents an opportunity for the State to
support workforce development while addressing vacancies in public service
positions.
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The legislature recognizes
that a structured, state-funded internship program can serve as a pipeline for
recruiting and retaining skilled workers in state government.
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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.
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SECTION 3.
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Chapter 78, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section
to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
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�78-
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State
internship and workforce development program.
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(a)
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There is established within the department of
human resources development the state internship and workforce development
program.
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The department shall administer
the program in conjunction with a designated coordinating agency.
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The program shall:
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(1)
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Provide
paid internship opportunities within various state departments and agencies;
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(2)
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Prioritize
placement in departments with significant workforce shortages;
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(3)
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Offer
internships ranging in length from eighty-nine days to no longer than twelve
months; and
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(4)
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Include
comprehensive training, mentorship, and evaluation components.
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(b)
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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.
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(c)
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Eligibility for the program shall be open to anyone who:
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(1)
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Is
a resident of the State;
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(2)
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Is
eighteen years of age or older; and
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(3)
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Meets
specific criteria established by the department of human resources development and
respective coordinating agencies.
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(d)
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Selection of internship participants shall be based on:
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(1)
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Academic
achievement or relevant work experience;
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(2)
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Interest
in public service careers; and
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(3)
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Alignment
with departmental workforce needs.
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(e)
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As part of the program, internship participants shall:
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(1)
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Attend
and actively participate in all required work experience training sessions;
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(2)
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Perform
assigned duties and responsibilities in accordance with program guidelines; and
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(3)
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Adhere
to workplace policies and procedures.
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(f)
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As part of the program, coordinating agency work sites shall:
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(1)
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Demonstrate
need and an ability to employ participants following program completion;
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(2)
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Implement
work experience training to ensure effective integration of interns into the
workplace;
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(3)
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Abide
by all rules and requirements of the program;
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(4)
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Ensure
sufficient supervision and mentorship of interns to facilitate professional
growth and development;
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(5)
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Provide
meaningful and adequate work experience to help interns meet the requirements
for employment in the relevant position;
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(6)
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Conduct
regular performance evaluations of interns and provide feedback to the
coordinating agency;
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(7)
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Collaborate
with the department of human resources development to create career pathways
for interns; and
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(8)
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Ensure
that viable and vacant positions relative to the interns' field of study are
available to participate in this program.
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(g)
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The
department of human resource development shall:
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(1)
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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;
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(2)
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Develop
standardized guidelines to align internship duties with the qualifications
required for full-time employment;
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(3)
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Provide
ongoing support to coordinating agencies to ensure compliance with program
objectives; and
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(4)
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Collaborate
with coordinating agencies to create career pathways for interns.
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(h)
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As part of the program, participants shall receive:
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(1)
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A
stipend or hourly wage commensurate with the role and duration of the
internship;
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(2)
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Opportunities
for professional development and skills training; and
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(3)
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Priority
consideration for full-time employment in state government.
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(i)
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Each coordinating agency shall:
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(1)
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Develop
performance metrics to evaluate the program's effectiveness in reducing
workforce shortages;
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(2)
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Provide
data on intern performance and retention rates for program evaluation; and
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(3)
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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.
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(j)
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As used in this section:
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"Coordinating agency" means
the participating State of Hawaii department, agency, or office hosting and
employing an intern program participant.
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"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.
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"Internship program" or
"program" means the State internship and workforce development
program established pursuant to this section.
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"Participant" means an
individual accepted into the internship program.
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SECTION 4.
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New statutory material is underscored.
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SECTION 5.
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This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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.