SB 998
Recruiting mental health professionals focusing on children and adolescents
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- Passed Senate
- Passed House of Delegates
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill establishes a loan repayment program in West Virginia to encourage mental health professionals who specialize in treating children and adolescents to work in the state. The program aims to alleviate the student loan burden for eligible professionals, incentivizing them to enter and remain in the field. The Department of Health will administer the program, verifying eligibility and disbursing funds to lenders.
Key provisions
- Creates a Loan Repayment Recruitment Program for licensed mental health professionals.
- Eligibility requires a degree, West Virginia license, full-time employment, and 12 consecutive months of employment in the state.
- Applicants must submit an application, employer verification, and lender verification annually.
- Loan repayment amounts are capped at 10% of the loan balance annually, with a total limit of $50,000 over 10 years.
- A dedicated fund will be established to support the program, drawing from state appropriations.
- The Department of Health will maintain records related to the program and its recipients.
- The Department of Health is authorized to create rules to administer the program.
- The program operates on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to funding availability.
Who is affected
- Mental health professionals (psychologists, social workers, counselors, nurses)
- Students and graduates of mental health programs
- Children and adolescents in West Virginia
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