NY A09292

Creates the Student Mental Health Apprenticeship Retention and Training (SMART) internship grant program administered by the New York Department of Education to provide grants to graduate-level mental health professional students and their supervisors.

Provides grants to eligible designated recipients (students in school counselor, school social worker, or school psychology programs) of either $25 per hour for up to 20 hours weekly over 30 weeks or a lump sum of $15,000 for the same internship period in public schools.

Requires recipients to commit to working at a public school for at least three school years to receive funding, with eligibility prioritizing students interning in critical shortage disciplines, high-poverty schools, or schools receiving state funding.

Authorizes grants up to $250 per designated recipient supervised by field supervisors and instructors, and permits debt or expense repayment for student loans in cases of extenuating circumstances.

Requires the Department of Education to submit annual reports to the Governor and legislative leadership beginning one year after the law takes effect on July 1 following enactment.