AB 1023

This bill authorizes the employment of one paid intern in each assembly office

and up to two paid interns in each senate office, four paid interns in the Milwaukee

offices of the governor, four paid interns in the Madison offices of the governor, and

four paid interns in the Milwaukee offices of the Department of Justice. Each intern

must be at least 18 years old, be enrolled in an institution of higher education, and

come from a household whose income does not exceed 300 percent of the federal

poverty line based on family size. Under the bill, each intern must be paid a stipend

of at least $15 per hour, which may be paid for up to 20 hours per week of work for

work performed during certain terms set forth in the bill that correspond to the

academic school year. Under the bill, the stipend is required to be disregarded in

establishing household income for purposes of obtaining public benefits under any

state program.

The bill also requires the Department of Workforce Development to establish

a program for the placement of paid interns with Wisconsin businesses. The program

requirements parallel the requirements set forth above. In addition, the bill requires

DWD to seek to coordinate with the private sector to administer the intern placement

program and to provide matching funds for purposes of paying intern stipends. The

bill appropriates $500,000 to DWD for the program.