March 26, 2020 - Introduced by Representatives Haywood, Fields, Anderson,
Cabrera, Considine, Crowley, Emerson, Hebl, Neubauer, Ohnstad,
Spreitzer, Stubbs, Subeck, C. Taylor and Vruwink, cosponsored by Senators
Johnson, Larson and Shilling. Referred to Committee on Rules.

AB1023,1,5 1An Act to create 13.205, 14.25, 20.445 (1) (bn), 20.455 (3) (ab), 20.765 (1) (c),
2106.135 and 165.989 of the statutes; relating to: interns employed by assembly
3and senate offices, the governor, and the Department of Justice, an intern
4placement program administered by the Department of Workforce
5Development, and making an appropriation.

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.