The proposed bill establishes the "High School Internship Grant Program" within the New Mexico workforce solutions department, aimed at providing paid internship opportunities for high school students. The program will approve qualified internship programs and host organizations, which must apply to the department and meet specific criteria, including providing monetary contributions and detailed information about the internship positions. The department will award grants to these qualified programs to fund internships and cover administrative costs, with a focus on tracking key metrics such as completion rates and post-internship placements.

Additionally, the bill creates the "High School Internship Grant Program Fund," a nonreverting fund in the state treasury, which will be administered by the workforce solutions department. This fund will consist of various financial sources, including appropriations and donations, and is allocated $10 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 and beyond. The bill mandates that the department report annually on the program's effectiveness starting in 2026, ensuring accountability and transparency in the use of funds and the impact of the internship opportunities provided.