This bill establishes a legislative internship program that allows members of the New Jersey Legislature to employ interns, contingent upon the approval of the presiding officer of the member's House. The program is open to both full-time and part-time students from accredited institutions of higher education, specifically excluding those in juris doctorate and PhD programs. Priority for the internship will be given to students who are residents of New Jersey or attending schools within the state. Each intern is required to complete a work period in a legislator's district office, which will be determined by the legislator prior to the internship.
Additionally, the bill permits legislators to retain interns for further work periods if the interns agree to continue after fulfilling the initial program requirements. It also mandates that the Legislature, with support from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, seek federal grant funds or assistance for the internship program, including resources from the federal On-the-Job Training program under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. An appropriation from the State General Fund is included to support the program's implementation.