The proposed bill establishes the Youth Internship Opportunity Program within America's Job Centers New Mexico, aimed at enhancing youth employment opportunities for individuals aged sixteen to eighteen. The program will focus on developing in-demand skills in various industries, including healthcare, trades, information technology, and agriculture, while fostering workforce readiness. Participants will be matched with eligible employers and will receive hourly wages ranging from $15.00 to $17.00 for up to 400 hours of work. The program prioritizes low-income or at-risk youth, underserved populations, and students enrolled in career technical education courses.

Additionally, the bill mandates that employers provide qualified mentors for participants and ensure compliance with workplace safety and labor laws. The America's Job Center will monitor participant progress, employer satisfaction, and overall program effectiveness, submitting annual reports to the governor and legislature. To support this initiative, the bill appropriates $25 million from the general fund for the workforce solutions department to implement the program over the fiscal years 2025 through 2027, with any unspent funds reverting to the general fund at the end of the period.