HB 1337 Summary

• Creates a 3-year "Step into Success" workforce education and internship pilot program within the Department of Children and Families for eligible foster youth (ages 16-18) and former foster youth (ages 18-26).

• Program consists of two components: (1) independent living, professionalism, and workforce education training requiring completion by January 1, 2024, and (2) onsite workforce training internship for former foster youth beginning by July 1, 2024.

• Provides participating interns $1,517 monthly financial assistance, requires mentors to receive trauma-informed training, and caps mentor compensation at $1,200 per intern per fiscal year ($100 monthly).

• Interns must work at least 80 hours per month and may participate for no more than 1 year; internship earnings do not count as income for federal or state benefits, with potential offset payments for lost SNAP benefits.

• Requires annual reporting on program compliance, participating organizations, recruitment efforts, employment outcomes, and feedback from former foster youth and mentors; Board of Governors and State Board of Education must adopt rules awarding postsecondary credit or career education clock hours for internship work by May 1, 2024.