SB 3925

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. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the contents of the bill with the following changes. Provides that the program's provision of loan repayment assistance is subject to appropriation, and makes a related change. Corrects grammatical errors, including changing references from "human service" to "human services". Adds an effective date of January 1, 2023, and makes a related change. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the contents of the bill as amended by Senate Amendment No. 1 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.