The General Assembly Raised Bill No. 7094 mandates the Office of Workforce Strategy to convene a working group aimed at developing a plan and recommending legislation for a grant program that would enhance paid internships and work-based learning opportunities for students in postsecondary education. The Chief Workforce Officer is tasked with appointing members to the working group from various sectors, including employers, chambers of commerce, and representatives from state educational institutions. The working group is expected to evaluate existing paid work-based learning opportunities, assess the need for additional programs, and create a model outlining the roles of employers and students in these opportunities.

The plan developed by the working group must include recommendations for the administration of the grant program, detailing the process for awarding grants, eligibility requirements for student participation, and the necessary funding amounts. The Office of Workforce Strategy is required to submit this plan to the relevant legislative committee by January 1, 2026, after which the working group will disband. The bill introduces new legal language to establish this initiative while deleting any previous references that may conflict with the new provisions.