FL H1057

Establishes a mental health profession scholarship and loan forgiveness program within the Department of Health to attract students to mental health professions and fill critical workforce shortages in Florida

Scholarships provide up to $8,000 per year for up to 2 years to students enrolled in approved graduate programs in psychology, clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, or mental health counseling; up to 5,000 scholarships may be awarded annually

Scholarship recipients must provide 12 months of mental health services at eligible facilities in shortage areas or work in faculty positions for each year of assistance received; recipients who fail to meet obligations must repay the full scholarship amount plus 10 percent interest

Loan repayment awards up to $4,000 per year for up to 4 years are available to licensed mental health professionals who did not receive scholarships; awards are contingent on continued employment at eligible health care facilities

Department must review loan repayment applications quarterly and award funds based on employer priority, with state-operated medical facilities prioritized first; program implementation is contingent on specific legislative funding; effective July 1, 2023