DE HB273

Creates Career Readiness Exploration Credit Pilot Program providing tax credits to Delaware employers who hire high school students (age 16+) as interns in designated fields including hospitality, healthcare, construction, agriculture, finance, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Qualified internships must last at least 20 weeks with minimum 200 paid work hours during the taxable year, monitored by school-designated employee and subject to unannounced inspections.

Employers receive tax credits equal to 50% of gross wages paid to qualified students, capped at $500,000 per employer annually and $1,000,000 total statewide; unused credits are refundable.

Employers retaining at least 3 interns as full-time employees for 1 year after graduation receive additional one-time $1,200 credit.

Program becomes effective January 1, 2017 and automatically sunsets December 31, 2019 unless extended by subsequent legislation.