Bill > HR3655

This bill establishes the Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Behavioral and Mental Health Workforce Scholarship Program (STAR Plus Scholarship) to address professional shortages in mental health and substance use treatment services. The program will provide scholarships to full-time students enrolled in accredited educational institutions who are pursuing careers in mental health and substance use treatment. Scholarship recipients must commit to serving for one year in a mental health professional shortage area for each year of scholarship support, with priority given to applicants from underrepresented groups or those likely to continue serving in these areas after their obligated service. The scholarship will cover tuition, educational expenses, and other reasonable costs. Recipients can work in various roles including physicians, psychiatric nurses, social workers, mental health counselors, addiction counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists. The program targets areas with high drug overdose rates or significant mental health professional shortages. The scholarship will be tax-exempt, and the bill authorizes $75 million in funding annually from fiscal years 2026 through 2030. If a scholarship recipient fails to complete their full service commitment, they may be subject to a liquidated damages formula, and any recovered funds will be used to replace lost services in mental health and substance use treatment facilities.

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https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/3655/all-info