Bill > SB554

This bill establishes the Behavioral Health Loan Forgiveness Program to address mental health professional shortages in underserved communities in Arkansas. The program will provide loan forgiveness to mental health professionals and licensed alcoholism and substance abuse counselors who commit to working for at least three years in areas with significant behavioral health service gaps. The Secretary of the Department of Human Services will determine which geographical areas are "behaviorally underserved" by considering factors like the ratio of mental health professionals to population, poverty levels, and service accessibility. Eligible participants can receive annual loan repayments of up to 15% of the average educational debt for their profession, not exceeding their total loan balance. To be eligible, individuals must either be currently working or training to become a mental health professional or licensed counselor, and they must apply to the program. A new Arkansas Behavioral Health Professional Student Loan Repayment Fund will be created to support the program, which can receive public and private grants and donations. If a participant fails to complete their three-year service commitment, they may be required to repay the funds received plus interest, though the secretary can waive this requirement under certain extenuating circumstances.