89415.2.
As used in this chapter, the following definitions apply:(a) “Center” means the California State University’s Center for California Studies.
(b) “Fund” means the Legislative Internship Program Fund established pursuant to this chapter.
(c) “Office” means an office of a Member of the Legislature participating in the program.
(d) “Program” means the Legislative Internship Program established pursuant to this chapter.
89415.4.
(a) The Legislative Internship Program is hereby established under the administration of the California State University’s Center for California Studies. The center shall collaborate with the University of California, the California Community Colleges, and the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities to ensure access to the program is available to students enrolled in a variety of postsecondary programs throughout the state.(b) Upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act or another statute, the sum of two million dollars ($2,000,000) shall be allocated annually from the General Fund to the center for both of the following purposes:
(1) Up to forty thousand dollars($40,000) of each annual appropriation for the administration and solicitation of program applications.
(2) Providing two paid internship positions per year to each office, with each paid internship position receiving a weekly stipend of three hundred forty dollars ($340) for 20 hours of work performed each week.
(c) Each paid internship position shall last for at least three months, but shall not exceed six months. Interns shall work 20 hours per week. Interns shall only perform duties that serve a legislative purpose. Interns shall not engage in political activity as part of the internship.
(d) The center shall have all of the following duties:
(1) Developing an application process for students attending
any accredited postsecondary educational institution in the state to participate in the program.
(2) Developing a broad and effective outreach effort to promote the availability and merits of the program.
(3) Conducting the selection process for internship applicants.
(4) Entering into memoranda of understandings with the Legislature to accomplish all of the following:
(A) Development of a system for placing qualified candidates into offices as interns under the program.
(B) Development of a system for monitoring interns throughout the completion of their internship obligations.
(C) Designation of an internship supervisor in
each office for purposes of the program.
(D) Providing interns with a written description of their tasks and responsibilities in offices.
(E) Providing interns with appropriate training and materials, including mandatory employee trainings.
(5) Determining criteria for selecting qualified candidates. The criteria shall include, at a minimum, all of the following:
(A) Requiring a qualified applicant to be at least 18 years of age, a resident of the state, and enrolled at an accredited postsecondary educational institution in the state.
(B) A process for receiving and reviewing an applicant’s academic and employment records and letters of recommendation. This subparagraph shall only be
implemented in a manner that is consistent with state and federal privacy laws.
(C) Internship interviews for qualified applicants with offices under the program.
(e) Upon placement in an office under the program, an intern shall be considered an hourly employee of the center. It is the intent of the Legislature that interns are paid a weekly stipend of three hundred forty dollars ($340). Internships shall not create an assumption of an employment relationship between the intern and any office or the Legislature.
(f) This chapter shall not be construed to preclude any office from having volunteers, including, but not limited to, unpaid interns.