CONTRACTS: Provides relative to noncompete contracts or agreements for interns and apprentices
HB 315 prohibits employers from including noncompete clauses in contracts or agreements with interns (paid or unpaid) or apprentices. The bill directly affects these workers by preventing employers from restricting them from working in similar jobs after their internship or apprenticeship ends. Key provisions explicitly ban any contract term that restrains an intern or apprentice from engaging in business or employment comparable to their employer’s. This policy change ensures interns and apprentices retain freedom to pursue similar work opportunities without legal restrictions imposed during their training period. The bill aims to protect trainees from unfair limitations on future employment options.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
May 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Feb 24, 2026
Signed May 15, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons
What changed between versions
HB315 Original
→
HB315 Act
·
2 edits
MINOR
This bill updates the legal definition of an 'intern' to specifically include students participating in work-based learning programs authorized by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. While the core prohibition against non-compete agreements for interns and apprentices remains unchanged, this revision clarifies eligibility by tying the definition to state-authorized educational programs rather than leaving it open to broader interpretation.
Scope change
The scope of protection was narrowed by adding specific regulatory criteria for who qualifies as an intern, limiting the ban on non-compete agreements to those in officially authorized work-based learning programs.
DEFINITION
Added a specific definition for 'intern' that requires the student to participate in an internship authorized and regulated by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
ELIGIBILITY
Modified the eligibility criteria for non-compete protections by linking the status of 'intern' to compliance with specific state administrative regulations regarding work-based learning.
Floor votes · Senate May 12, 2026 · House Apr 15, 2026
How they voted
36–0
Passed · 4 other
Total votes 40
May 12, 2026
D
Democratic12
75% Yea
R
Republican28
96% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
20
Key actions
4
Committee
5
May 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
Rules suspended. Read by title, passed by a vote of 35 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
upper
May 4, 2026
Committee
Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.
upper
Apr 29, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably.
upper
Apr 15, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 95, nays 0. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.
lower
Apr 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported with amendments (11-0).
lower
Mar 9, 2026
Committee
Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Labor and Industrial Relations.
lower
Feb 24, 2026
Committee
Under the rules, provisionally referred to the Committee on Labor and Industrial Relations.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Michael Melerine
RRepublican
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