118 HR 10387 IH: Department of State Student Internship Program Improvements Act U.S. House of Representatives 2024-12-12 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I118th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 10387IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESDecember 12, 2024Mr. Castro of Texas introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign AffairsA BILLTo amend the Department of State Authorization Act of 2022 to expand opportunities for certain internship programs.

1.

Short Title

This Act may be cited as the Department of State Student Internship Program Improvements Act.

2.

Expanding opportunities for department-paid student internship program

Section 9201 of the Department of State Authorization Act of 2022 (22 U.S. 2737) is amended—(1)in subsection (b)(2)(A), by inserting or have graduated from such an institution within the 6 months preceding application to the Program after paragraph (1);(2)in subsection (c), by inserting and gives preference to individuals who have not previously completed internships within the Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development after career in foreign affairs; and(3)by adding at the end the following subsections:(k)

Work hours flexibility

Students participating in the Program may work fewer than 40 hours per week and a minimum of 24 hours per week to accommodate their academic schedules, provided that the total duration of the internship remains consistent with program requirements.(l)

Mentorship program

The Secretary and Administrator are authorized to establish a mentoring and coaching program that pairs Foreign Service or Civil Service employees with interns who choose to participate throughout the duration of their internship..