S.B. 1233 Summary

• Establishes the State Internship and Workforce Development Program within the Department of Human Resources Development to address workforce shortages in state departments and agencies.

• Provides paid internship opportunities ranging from 89 days to 12 months for Hawaii residents age 18 and older, with priority placement in departments with significant workforce shortages.

• Requires participating departments to demonstrate need, provide training and mentorship, conduct performance evaluations, and offer priority consideration for full-time employment to program participants.

• Appropriates funds for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to implement the program and establish 5.0 full-time equivalent positions in the Department of Human Resources Development (4.0 Human Resources Specialist V and 1.0 Account Clerk V).

• Requires participating agencies to submit annual reports to the legislature detailing program participation, costs, and outcomes, and to contribute a portion of program costs based on the number of interns placed in their departments.