HB 5478 Connecticut House · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT SUPPORTING "LEARN AND EARN" INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES.

This bill establishes two main programs to support unpaid and paid internship opportunities in Connecticut. First, it requires state higher education boards to create a program that helps small businesses with 50 or fewer employees offer paid, high-quality internships by providing training and resources on managing internship programs. Second, it creates a stipend program for college students receiving federal Pell grants to offset costs like transportation and clothing when participating in internships. The bill also mandates annual reporting on program participation and establishes a state quality seal to recognize businesses with internship programs that meet specific standards for mentorship, learning opportunities, and clear communication.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Mar 5, 2026 Last action Apr 20, 2026

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What changed between versions

Raised Bill → HED Joint Favorable Substitute · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to shift responsibility for establishing and managing internship programs from a single state official to a joint effort between two higher education boards. This change expands the scope of oversight to include The University of Connecticut and the Board of Regents, ensuring that quality seals and reports are developed collaboratively rather than by the Chief Workforce Officer alone.

Scope change

Responsibility for creating internship quality seals and submitting related reports was transferred from the Chief Workforce Officer to the Board of Regents for Higher Education and the Board of Trustees of The University of Connecticut.

REQUIREMENT

The authority to establish a state quality seal for internship programs was changed from the Chief Workforce Officer to the Board of Regents for Higher Education and the Board of Trustees of The University of Connecticut.

New requirements were added for higher education boards to post information, eligibility criteria, and application forms for small business training programs on their websites.

ENFORCEMENT

The duty to identify businesses with qualifying internship programs and award the state quality seal was reassigned from the Chief Workforce Officer to the two higher education boards.

The requirement to submit annual reports on internship programs was transferred from the Chief Workforce Officer to the two higher education boards.

ELIGIBILITY

The language defining eligible students for Pell grant stipends was slightly altered to remove a specific reference to 'either board' in favor of a broader 'such board' phrasing.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 17, 2026

Lower · Passed

Joint Favorable

lower

Apr 14, 2026

Lower · Passed

REF. BY HOUSE TO COMMITTEE ON Appropriations

lower

Mar 17, 2026

Lower · Passed

Joint Favorable Substitute

lower

Mar 5, 2026

Committee

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Higher Education and Employment Advancement

lower

17 primary · 0 co-sponsors