The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PETITION OF:
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PETITION OF:
Carl M. Sciortino, Jr.
Christine E. Canavan
Jay R. Kaufman
Mark V. Falzone
Steven J. D'Amico
Steven C. Panagiotakos
Kay Khan
Thomas P. Kennedy
Alice Hanlon Peisch
Barbara A. L'Italien
Michael E. Festa
J. James Marzilli, Jr.
Jennifer M. Callahan
Willie Mae Allen
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In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.
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An Act encouraging licensed social workers to work in child welfare and human services programs. |
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
SECTION 1. Chapter 15A of the General laws as appearing in the 2006 Official Edition is hereby amended by adding the following new section:—
Section 19F: There shall be a student loan repayment program administered by the board of higher education for social workers licensed under chapter one hundred and twelve who have completed a baccalaureate or masters degree in social work in a public or private college or university. The purpose of the program is to encourage such social workers to work in child protective services programs or in underserved geographic areas in accordance with guidelines established by the board of higher education in consultation with the executive office of health and human services, by providing for the repayment of qualified education loans as defined below. The program shall be subject to appropriation.
The term “qualified education loan” shall mean any indebtedness including interest on such indebtedness incurred to pay tuition or other direct expenses incurred in connection with the pursuit of an undergraduate or graduate degree in a public or private college or university by an applicant, but shall not include loans made by any person related to the applicant. To be eligible for this program, an applicant must commit to working a minimum of thirty-five hours a week for at least one year in an eligible program or area as defined by the board of higher education.
The board of higher education in consultation with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services shall promulgate regulations in relation to this act.