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FL H0147
Bill
Status
Failed
3/8/2024
Primary Sponsor
Hillary Cassel
Click for details
AI Summary
- Creates a mental health profession scholarship and loan forgiveness program within the Florida Department of Health to attract students to mental health fields and encourage employment in areas with critical shortages of mental health professionals
- Provides scholarships of up to $8,000 per year (adjusted annually by CPI) for up to 2 years to students enrolled in approved graduate-level programs in psychology, clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, or mental health counseling, with a cap of 5,000 scholarships per year
- Requires scholarship recipients to provide 12 months of mental health services at an eligible health care facility in a designated shortage area, or work 12 months in a faculty position, for each year of scholarship assistance received; failure to meet obligations triggers full repayment plus 10% interest
- Offers a separate loan repayment program of up to $4,000 per year for up to 4 years to licensed graduates employed at eligible facilities, covering loans used for tuition, books, and living expenses; scholarship recipients are ineligible for this benefit
- Implementation is contingent on specific legislative funding, with an effective date of July 1, 2024
Legislative Description
Financial Assistance for Mental Health Professionals
Last Action
Died in Postsecondary Education & Workforce Subcommittee
3/8/2024
Committee Referrals
Postsecondary Education & Workforce Subcommittee10/17/2023
Full Bill Text
No bill text available