HB3847 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 29997 RJT 56417 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB3847

Introduced 2/17/2023, by Rep. Cyril Nichols

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

110 ILCS 947/65.120 new

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Provides that subject to appropriation, the Commission shall establish the Public School Counselor, Social Worker, or Mental Health Professional Loan Repayment Program. Provides that the Program shall provide school counselors, social workers, or other school mental health professionals full educational loan forgiveness to qualified applicants. Sets forth requirements for qualified applicants, application procedures, and rulemaking.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning education.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Higher Education Student Assistance Act is amended by adding Section 65.120 as follows:

(110 ILCS 947/65.120 new)

Sec. 65.120. Public School Counselor, Social Worker, or Mental Health Professional Loan Repayment Program.

(a) As used in this Section, "school" means a school operated under the School Code.

(b) Subject to appropriation, the Commission shall establish the Public School Counselor, Social Worker, or Mental Health Professional Loan Repayment Program. The Program shall provide school counselors, social workers, or other school mental health professionals who work in public schools in the State for 5 years full educational loan forgiveness to qualified applicants.

(c) A person is a qualified applicant under this Section if he or she meets all of the following qualifications:

(1) the person is a United States citizen or eligible noncitizen;

(2) the person is a resident of this State;

(3) the person has attended a State-based institution of higher learning; and

(4) the person has worked in a State public school for 5 years as a school counselor, social worker, or other mental health professional.

(d) All applications for loan forgiveness under this Section shall be made to the Commission. The form of application and the information required to be set forth in the application shall be determined by the Commission, and the Commission shall require applicants to submit with their applications such supporting documents as the Commission deems necessary.

(e) The Commission shall adopt any rules necessary to implement this Section.