I 112th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 914 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 3, 2011 Mr. Connolly of Virginia (for himself, Mr. Bilbray, Mr. Cummings, Mr. Sarbanes, Mrs. Maloney, Ms. Norton, Mr. Moran, Mr. Price of North Carolina, and Mr. Meeks) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform A BILL To improve Federal internships by expanding the conversion rate of Federal interns to full-time employees, establish consistent tracking mechanisms among Executive agencies for internship programs, and accelerate adoption of internship best management practices by Executive agencies.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Federal Internship Improvement Act.

2.

Federal Internship Programs

(a)

In general

Subchapter I of chapter 31 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 3111 the following:

3111a.

Federal internship programs

(a)

Internship coordinator

The head of each agency operating an internship program shall appoint an individual within such agency to serve as an internship coordinator. (b)

Online information

(1)

Agencies

The Office of Personnel Management shall make publicly available on the Internet— (A)the name and contact information of the internship coordinator for each agency; and (B)information regarding application procedures and deadlines for each internship program. (2)

Office of Personnel Management

The Office of Personnel Management shall make publicly available on the Internet links to the websites where the information described in paragraph (1) is displayed. (c)

Centralized database

The Office shall establish and maintain a centralized electronic database that contains the names, contact information, and relevant skills of individuals who have completed or are nearing completion of an internship program and are currently seeking full-time Federal employment. (d)

Exit interview requirement

The agency operating an internship program shall conduct an exit interview, and administer a survey (which shall be in conformance with such guidelines or requirements as the Office shall establish to ensure uniformity across agencies), with each intern who completes such program. (e)

Report

(1)

In general

The head of each agency operating an internship program shall annually submit to the Office a report assessing such internship program. (2)

Contents

Each report required under paragraph (1) for an agency shall include, for the 1-year period ending on September 1 of the year in which the report is submitted— (A)the number of interns who participated in an internship program at such agency; (B)information regarding the demographic characteristics of interns at such agency, including educational background; (C)a description of the steps taken by such agency to increase the percentage of interns who are offered permanent Federal jobs and the percentage of interns who accept the offers of such jobs, and any barriers encountered; (D)a description of activities engaged in by such agency to recruit new interns, including locations and methods; (E)a description of the diversity of work roles offered within internship programs at such agency; (F)a description of the mentorship portion of such internship programs; and (G)a summary of exit interviews conducted and surveys administered by such agency with respect to interns upon their completion of an internship program at such agency. (3)

Submission

Each report required under paragraph (1) shall be submitted to the Office between September 1 and September 30 of each year. Not later than December 30 of each year, the Office shall submit to Congress a report summarizing the information submitted to the Office in accordance with paragraph (1) for such year. (f)

Definitions

For purposes of this section— (1)the term internship program means— (A)a volunteer service program under section 3111(b); (B)the Student Educational Employment Program (hereinafter SCEP), as established under section 213.3202 of title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on January 1, 2009); and (C)a program operated by a nongovernment organization for the purpose of providing paid internships in agencies pursuant to a written agreement comparable to an SCEP agreement under section 213.3202(b)(12) of title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on January 1, 2009); (2)the term intern means an individual participating in an internship program; and (3)the term agency means an Executive agency.

. (b)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections for chapter 31 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 3111 the following: 3111a. Federal internship programs. .