2013 -- H 5134

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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A N A C T

RELATING TO TAXATION - THE RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE INTERNSHIP TAX

CREDIT ACT

     Introduced By: Representatives McNamara, Ferri, Hearn, Malik, and Azzinaro

     Date Introduced: January 23, 2013

     Referred To: House Finance

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Title 44 of the General Laws entitled "TAXATION" is hereby amended by

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adding thereto the following chapter:

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     CHAPTER 68

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THE RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE INTERNSHIP TAX CREDIT ACT

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     44-68-1. Legislative purpose. -- The department of labor and training, in consultation

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with the board of education, shall develop a statewide program for certified career-related

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internship programs to be available to resident college-enrolled students and for residents who are

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college graduates within twenty-four (24) or less months. The department of labor and training

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shall collaborate with the board of education to identify new and existing funding sources that

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may be allocated to a "Rhode Island College Internship tax Credit Program". Funds allocated to

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this program may consist of federal, state and private grants and the availability of these funds

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shall determine the amount of the tax credit for certified internships and shall be capped at a level

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of funding available in the first year of the program. The department of labor and training shall

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administer the Rhode Island College Internship Tax Credit Program, and promulgate rules and

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regulations in connection therewith.

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     44-68-2. Definitions. -- Whenever used in this chapter, unless the context requires

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otherwise:

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     (1) "Internship" means a learning experience working with an employer where the intern

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may, but does not necessarily, receive academic credit, financial remuneration, a stipend or a

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combination of the foregoing.

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     44-68-3. Tax credit. -- (a) Tax credits hereunder may only be made to internships that do

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the following:

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     (1) Does not replace or supplant existing positions or violate union contracts;

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     (2) Create workplace expectations and consequences;

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     (3) Provide a process that measures progress towards mastery of skills, attitude, behavior

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and a sense of responsibility required for success in the workplace;

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     (4) Motivate and educate post-secondary students and recent graduates through work-

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based opportunities with Rhode Island employers that are likely to lead to employment;

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     (5) Include mechanisms that promote employer involvement with post-secondary

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students and recent graduates, and reflect the curriculum and delivery of education at the

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participating institution; and

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     (6) Offer students a continuum of learning experiences and relationships with employers

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that will make it financially possible and attractive for graduates to continue to work and live in

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the state of Rhode Island.

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     44-68-4. Department of labor and training responsibility. -- The department of labor

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and training, in collaboration with the board of education, shall:

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     (1) Collect data and establish program goals and quantifiable performance measures for

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internship programs to be certified by the department of labor;

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     (2) Engage appropriate state agencies and departments in the program in order to expand

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internship opportunities with both government and entities that have been awarded state

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contracts; and

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     (3) Work with public and private entities to develop and enhance internship programs and

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opportunities throughout the state.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC00071

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO TAXATION - THE RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE INTERNSHIP TAX

CREDIT ACT

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     This act would create the Rhode Island College Internship Tax Credit Act.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC00071

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