IL HB5510

Creates a new social work associate endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations for Master of Social Work professionals holding active licenses as licensed clinical social workers or licensed social workers from the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

Social work associates must perform all responsibilities in consultation with a Professional Educator License holder with a school support personnel endorsement in school social work and are limited to Tier 1 and Tier 2 interventions in a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS).

Social work associates are prohibited from performing Tier 3 MTSS interventions or participating in individualized education program (IEP) or Section 504 plan processes for students with disabilities.

Social work associates cannot be employed to replace existing Professional Educator License holders and are not required to pass a content area test to obtain the endorsement.

Includes a $150 application fee for the social work associate endorsement and clarifies that this position is intended to expand qualified social workers in schools rather than replace professional educators.