WASHINGTON — Maryland Del. Shaun Tarrant says not every student intern can afford to pay travel expenses and work for free. To level the playing field for prospective interns, he suggests a bill that would require businesses to reimburse interns’ travel costs.

Del. Kelly Shultz wondered: Who would have to reimburse the State House interns?

Tarrant said most State House interns were paid; Shultz said many were not, adding, “If somebody is reimbursing someone, it’s usually for money, so the money is going to come from somewhere.”

Tarrant says paying for an intern’s travel expenses should be seen as part of the deal for those who benefit from free labor.

“It’s not as if the company is not gaining something from the young person who is working in their business,” he said.

WTOP’s Kate Ryan contributed to this report. Follow @WTOP on Twitter and on the WTOP Facebook page.