Bill > S05252

This bill establishes a loan forgiveness program specifically designed to encourage licensed mental health professionals to work in New York state correctional institutions by offering financial incentives. The program will provide annual student loan forgiveness awards of $2,000 to eligible mental health professionals who provide services to incarcerated individuals or correction staff. To qualify, applicants must be licensed mental health professionals with outstanding student loan debt, with priority given first to previous award recipients who have continued providing services, then to those who have previously provided services, and finally to those currently working in correctional institutions for less than one year. The total cumulative loan forgiveness for any individual is capped at $20,000, and awards will be distributed based on available funding. The bill defines "correctional institutions" broadly to include state, county, and municipal facilities used for detention or imprisonment. The corporation administering the program will develop specific regulations for awarding the loans, including a method like a lottery to distribute awards if there are more qualified applicants than available funds.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S5252