HB 4720

Abstract

Creates the Human Service Professional Loan Repayment Program Act. Creates the Human Service Professional Loan Repayment Program, which shall be administered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, to provide loan repayment assistance to eligible direct service professionals practicing in a community-based, human service agency that contracts with or is grant funded by a State agency. Contains provisions concerning applications, award amounts, eligibility and work requirements, and rules. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the contents of the introduced bill with the following changes. Removes the definition of eligible applicant. Changes the definition of professional to an individual employed by a human service agency that contracts with or is grant-funded by a State agency for specified purposes. Removes the requirement of a qualified program to be in the human services field for the purpose of training and preparing students to be human service professionals. Changes references from a direct service professional to a human service professional or a professional. Removes as eligibility criteria being a United States citizen or eligible noncitizen and holding a degree from a qualified program. Requires an applicant to remain a full-time employee as a human service professional in the same community-based human service agency for at least 12 months after receiving the grant (instead of remain a full-time employee as a human service professional in a community-based human service agency at least 12 months after receiving the grant). Removes provisions concerning repayment of grant or stipend funds if the professional does not complete a required period of employment as a human service professional. Effective January 1, 2023.