BILL NUMBER: S8906
SPONSOR: FERNANDEZ
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to establishing a student
mental health apprenticeship retention and training (SMART) internship
grant program
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The purpose of this bill is to create the Student Mental Health Appren-
ticeship Retention and Training (SMART) Internship Grant Program.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISION:
The bill amends the education law through the addition of section 319
that creates the student mental health apprenticeship retention and
training (SMART) internship grant program.
Section 1: Subdivision 1 defines debt or expenses, department, desig-
nated recipient, extenuating circumstance, supervisors of the designated
recipients, school fiscal year and the grant program as used in the
added section. Subdivision 2 of this section describes the intent and
goals of the SMART internship grant program and how it shall provide
grants and payments of funding to designated recipients, field supervi-
sors, field instructors and supervisors as defined in the section. The
subdivision also describes the meaning of "eligible designated recipi-
ent" to be used in this section. Subdivision 3 describes repayments to
be made under extenuating circumstances. Subdivision 4 allows state
universities, that designated recipients are enrolled in, to continue to
implement existing evaluation processes required as part of certif-
ication, licensing, or approval requirements associated with serving as
a mental health professional. Subdivision 5 requires designated recipi-
ents to submit evaluations to the department, which will then be under
review to determine continued eligibility. Subdivision 6 describes the
monetary limit of funding. Sub division 7 explains that designated
recipients are not prohibited from applying to other grants.
Section 2: Beginning one year after the effective date of the act, the
Department of Education shall report to the Governor, temporary Presi-
dent of the Senate, and Speaker of the Assembly, the status and outcomes
of the program.
Section 3: This act shall take place on the first of July next succeed-
ing the date of which it becomes law.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Most college students in social work programs are required to complete
many hours of field placement work in order to earn their degree. Much
of this field placement is completed through unpaid practicum experi-
ences, which leaves many students unable to support themselves finan-
cially. Many aspiring social workers, counselors and school psychol-
ogists face economic burdens due to the lack of paid practicum
opportunities, despite it being shown through the National Association
of Colleges and Employers 2022 Student Survey that students with paid
internships receive more job offers and higher starting salaries. This
bill would increase the opportunities given to those in these fields, so
that they can enjoy their professional development experience without
financial burdens.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
TBD.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding the date
on which it shall have become law.