I.P. NY). 1. There is hereby established within the legislature a veterans internship program (V.I.P. NY) to provide opportunities for veterans to participate in the assembly youth participation program and the senate student program. Such program shall award ten percent of available internships in the assembly youth participation program and the senate student program to eligible honorably discharged veterans. Veterans who are awarded internships pursuant to the V.I.P. NY program shall receive a stipend that is equivalent to the stipend awarded to graduate student participants in the assembly youth participation program and senate student program for a one semester internship.

1. 2. To be eligible to participate in the V.I.P. NY program, a candidate shall:

   1. (a) be honorably discharged from the armed forces of the United States;
   2. (b) be unemployed or underemployed;
   3. (c) have demonstrated an interest in future employment in public service, government or public policy; and
   4. (d) submit an application for participation in the V.I.P. NY program to the senate or assembly. Such application shall be made in a manner and form as determined by the senate and the assembly.
2. 3. In an effort to foster and encourage participation in the V.I.P. NY program, the assembly intern office and the senate intern office shall coordinate with each other and with county veterans' services agencies to identify and recruit eligible candidates.