The proposed bill amends the Human Services Code to establish a new Mental Health Workforce Retention Program aimed at supporting mental health workers in Pennsylvania. This program will provide grants to eligible applicants, defined as mental health workers who have been employed in the field for at least seven consecutive years and focus on adolescents. The bill outlines the responsibilities of the department in administering the program, including the development of application processes and a lottery system for grant distribution. Each grant will be capped at $5,000, with a total of $1,000,000 available for distribution in any fiscal year, and the program is funded by a $5,000,000 appropriation from the General Fund.

Additionally, the bill specifies that grants awarded under this program will not be considered taxable income. The authority to award these grants will expire on June 30, 2030, and the act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, or immediately, whichever is later. The legislation aims to enhance the retention of mental health professionals in the state, thereby improving mental health services for the community.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 142 (Jan 16, 2025): P.L.31, No.21
Printer's No. 0142: P.L.31, No.21