The bill, S.B. No. 153, proposes the establishment of a Social Work Recruitment and Retention Program, which will be administered by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. This program aims to provide stipends to students enrolled in accredited social work programs at institutions of higher education, assisting them in obtaining the necessary field hours for their degree completion. The bill introduces a new subchapter, Subchapter LL, to Chapter 61 of the Education Code, which outlines the program's definition, eligibility criteria, stipend amounts, and reporting requirements.

Under the proposed legislation, eligible students can receive stipends of $15 per hour for bachelor's degree candidates and $20 per hour for master's degree candidates, with maximum awards of $6,000 and $9,000, respectively. The bill also establishes priority criteria for both applicants and institutions in the event of limited funding, focusing on need-based aid qualifications and placements in mental health professional shortage areas. Additionally, institutions receiving funds must report on their stipend distribution and program participation, and the Coordinating Board is tasked with submitting a biennial report on the program's effectiveness to key state officials.

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