OH HB797

Establishes the Social Work Apprenticeship Retention and Training (SMART) Internship Program as a three-year pilot administered by the Chancellor of Higher Education within 90 days of enactment

Eligible students must be enrolled in master's programs at Bowling Green State, Miami, Ohio, Wright State, or Youngstown State universities and pursuing social worker licensure

Grants of up to $15,000 per year fund internships at qualifying schools (districts, community schools, STEM schools, educational service centers) where at least 50% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch

Interns work up to 20 hours per week for up to 30 weeks, paid either at $25/hour or as a lump sum; supervisors receive up to $250 per student supervised

Appropriates $1 million in FY 2027 and $1 million in FY 2028 from the General Revenue Fund through the Department of Behavioral Health