Pennsylvania SB 900: An Act providing for Commonwealth support for a Mental Health and Intellectual Disability Staff Member Loan Forgiveness Program and an Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselor Loan Forgiveness Program; and imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 1042
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 900
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY KANE, TARTAGLIONE, COMITTA, SCHWANK, CAPPELLETTI,
COSTA AND SANTARSIERO, JULY 8, 2025
REFERRED TO EDUCATION, JULY 8, 2025
AN ACT
Providing for Commonwealth support for a Mental Health and
Intellectual Disability Staff Member Loan Forgiveness Program
and an Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselor Loan Forgiveness
Program; and imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Higher
Education Assistance Agency.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Mental Health
and Intellectual Disability Staff Member Loan Forgiveness
Program and Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselor Loan
Forgiveness Program Act.
Section 2. Findings and declaration of purpose.
The General Assembly finds and declares that:
(1) Community-based mental health, intellectual
disability and alcohol and drug addiction treatment services
offer lifelong supports and opportunities for a meaningful
quality of life, in fulfillment of Federal and State laws.
(2) Treatment of alcohol and other drug addiction is a
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crucial investment in health care, in the stability of
families and in protecting the public safety.
(3) A qualified and stable workforce is the key to
quality community mental health and intellectual disability
services and to quality alcohol and drug addiction counseling
services.
(4) The pool of qualified staff members has diminished.
(5) The number of college students planning to enter the
mental health and intellectual disability profession or the
alcohol and drug addiction counseling profession appears to
be inadequate to meet the need for staff members in this
Commonwealth.
(6) Demand from industry and other opportunities attract
potential staff members away from these professions.
(7) Payment of a portion of student loans for mental
health and intellectual disability staff members or alcohol
and drug addiction counselors serves the important public
purpose of encouraging new staff members to pursue careers in
this Commonwealth.
Section 3. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Agency." The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance
Agency.
"Counselor." A counselor assistant, counselor or clinical
supervisor who qualifies for the Alcohol and Drug Addiction
Counselor Loan Forgiveness Program.
"Licensed alcohol and drug addiction treatment facility." An
alcohol or drug addiction treatment facility licensed by the
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Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs to provide addiction
treatment services.
"Qualified counselor applicant." A person applying for the
Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselor Loan Forgiveness Program
who meets the following criteria:
(1) Is a resident of this Commonwealth.
(2) Has successfully completed a two-year or four-year
academic degree or diploma or graduate level academic degree
or diploma at an accredited college or university.
(3) Has been hired as a full-time counselor by a
licensed alcohol and drug addiction treatment facility.
(4) Has successfully completed the first six months of
full-time employment as a counselor at a licensed alcohol and
drug addiction treatment facility and remains in good
standing with the facility.
(5) Has borrowed through and has a current outstanding
balance with guaranteed Stafford or consolidation loan
programs administered by the agency.
"Qualified staff member applicant." A person applying for
the Mental Health and Intellectual Disability Staff Member Loan
Forgiveness Program who meets all of the following criteria:
(1) Is a resident of this Commonwealth.
(2) Has successfully completed a two-year or four-year
academic degree or diploma or graduate-level academic degree
or diploma at an accredited college or university.
(3) Has been hired as a full-time staff member by a
county mental health or intellectual disability service
agency within this Commonwealth through a merit or civil
service system approved by the Secretary of Human Services or
by a private provider that is under contract with either a
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county within this Commonwealth to provide mental health or
intellectual disability services or the Department of Human
Services to provide behavioral health rehabilitation services
to individuals with developmental disabilities.
(4) Has successfully completed the first six months of
full-time employment as a staff member at a county mental
health or intellectual disability service agency within this
Commonwealth or a private provider under contract with either
a county within this Commonwealth or the Departmen