HB 15-1230 Summary

• Creates the Innovative Industries Workforce Development Program administered jointly by the State Workforce Development Council and the Division of Employment and Training to reimburse businesses for up to one-half of qualifying internship expenses, beginning October 1, 2015.

• Requires at least 80 percent of participating businesses to have fewer than 100 employees, with maximum reimbursement of $5,000 per internship and a limit of five interns per location or ten total across all locations.

• Establishes eligibility requirements for interns including enrollment in secondary school, higher education, or recent graduation, with minimum wage of $10 per hour and internship duration of 130-180 hours lasting up to six months in innovative industries.

• Appropriates $450,000 from the general fund for fiscal year 2015-16 for program reimbursements and $582,698 total for administrative expenses including 1.0 FTE position.

• Requires annual reporting to legislative committees on program activities, participating companies and interns, occupational areas, and employment outcomes; program is set to expire July 1, 2020.