AZ HB2500

Establishes an Arizona school mental health professionals academy administered by the Arizona Board of Regents to train school psychologists, school social workers, and school counselors for employment in public schools.

Provides eligible graduate students enrolled in the academy with annual scholarships covering tuition and fees (up to 3 academic years or 6 semesters) after all other financial aid, contingent on successfully completing coursework and working one full school year in an Arizona public school per year of scholarship received.

Requires students who fail to complete academic years in good standing or who do not fulfill service obligations to reimburse the Board of Regents proportionally for scholarships received; allows deferral of service or repayment based on Board-adopted factors and physical or mental inability.

Creates the Arizona school mental health professionals academy fund from legislative appropriations to cover scholarship costs and marketing expenses (capped at 3% annually), with unused funds carrying over to the next fiscal year.

Mandates the Board of Regents report annually (by September 1) on student enrollment, completion rates, graduates working in public schools, defaulted obligations, repayment status, and fund distribution methodology.