(a) There is hereby established within the Division of Employment and Training a State Summer Youth Employment Program. Youths chosen for work under the Delaware State Summer Youth Employment Program shall not be less than 14 years of age nor more than 20 years of age (except that work leaders may be 21 years of age) and shall be required to provide evidence of same before becoming eligible. All youths participating in the State-assisted program shall be required to present a letter from their parents or guardian indicating their consent to work. The letter shall also release the State and the sponsoring agency from any liability for assignments in the low-risk jobs that will be available.

(b) Preference shall be given to those youths that are members of households whose income does not exceed 200 percent of household poverty. Notwithstanding income limits provided for participation in the State Summer Youth Employment Program, consideration may be given to other applicants at a ratio of at least 8 applicants qualified on income to 3 applicants considered beyond the income limits.

(c) Any nonprofit or tax-exempt organization certified by the Department of Labor may be authorized to be a sponsoring agent for the State-assisted youth work program. Sponsoring agents shall be required to submit a plan or project that consists of meaningful and productive work experience. The plan or project shall provide such details as the Department shall deem necessary before becoming eligible as a sponsoring agent.

(d) The sponsoring agent shall provide 1 work leader for each 20 youths employed in the program to supervise and monitor the attendance and work performance of the youths selected for the program. Work leaders shall be paid the minimum wage and shall work no longer than 8 hours per day, 5 days per week.

73 Del. Laws, c. 308, § ?1;