SB2222 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 27718 RJT 54095 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
SB2222

Introduced 2/10/2023, by Sen. Laura Fine

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

105 ILCS 5/2-3.196 new
110 ILCS 205/9.43 new

Amends the State Board of Education Article of the School Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, all internships for school social workers must be paid internships. Provides that subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education shall award competitive grants on an annual basis to school districts to assist in the funding of these paid internships. Provides that the State Board of Education shall annually disseminate a request for applications to the grant program. Provides that higher priority shall be given to schools that demonstrate a shortage of school social workers, which is determined by the average ratio of school social workers to students in the target school district over the preceding 3 school years. Provides that the State Board of Education shall produce an annual report on the program. Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Provides that subject to appropriation, the Board of Higher Education, shall award competitive grants on an annual basis to colleges or universities in the State to fund field placements for social workers. Provides that Subject to appropriation, colleges and universities shall annually disseminate a request for applications to the grant program. Provides that colleges and universities, upon receiving funding, shall provide applications to students eligible for this funding. Provides that the college or university shall give priority to applicants who are a member of a racial minority. Provides that each college or university that receives funds shall provide an annual report to the State Board of Higher Education, and the Board of Higher Education shall publish those reports on the State Board's website. Effective immediately.

STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning education.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The School Code is amended by adding Section 2-3.196 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.196 new)

Sec. 2-3.196. School social worker internships.

(a) Beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, all internships for school social workers must be paid internships.

(b) Subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education shall award competitive grants on an annual basis to school districts to assist in the funding of these paid internships.

(c) Subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education shall annually disseminate a request for applications to the grant program, and funds shall be distributed annually. Higher priority shall be given to schools that demonstrate a shortage of school social workers, which is determined by the average ratio of school social workers to students in the target school district over the preceding 3 school years.

(d) Subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education shall produce an annual report on the program in cooperation with the school districts participating in the program. The report shall include information on what school districts received these grants and how much money was disseminated. This report shall be posted on the State Board of Education's website by October 31st 2024, and each year thereafter.

(e) The State Board of Education may adopt any rules necessary for the implementation of this program.

Section 10. The Board of Higher Education Act is amended by adding Section 9.43 as follows:

(110 ILCS 205/9.43 new)

Sec. 9.43. School social worker internships grants.

(a) Subject to appropriation, the Board of Higher Education shall award competitive grants on an annual basis to colleges or universities in Illinois to fund field placements for social workers.

(b) Subject to appropriation, colleges and universities shall annually disseminate a request for applications to the grant program, and funds shall be distributed annually.

(c) Colleges and universities, upon receiving funding, shall provide applications to students eligible for this funding. The college or university shall give priority to applicants who are a member of a racial minority. In this Section, "racial minority" means a person who is a citizen of the United States or a lawful permanent resident immigrant of the United States and who is:

(i) Black;

(ii) Hispanic;

(iii) Asian American; or

(iv) American Indian or Alaskan Native.

(d) Each college or university that receives funds shall provide an annual report to the Board of Higher Education. This report shall include the number of students who received funds and the racial background of the students. The Board of Higher Education shall post reports from each college and university on the State Board's website by October 31st 2024, and each year thereafter.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.