Bill > SB346

This bill establishes a grant program administered by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) specifically designed to support prospective school social workers from racial minority groups. The grants can be awarded to individuals who are either current employees of a school board or enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program leading to school social worker licensure. The bill defines "racial minority group" to include Black Americans, American Indians, Alaskan natives, Hispanics, individuals of Asian or Pacific Island origin, and those with multiracial ancestry. The program will provide financial assistance to help these individuals cover the educational costs required to obtain their school social worker license. With an appropriation of $5,000,000 for the 2025-2026 fiscal period, the bill authorizes DPI to create rules for implementing the grant program and specifies that the act will take effect either the day after publication or after the publication of the 2025 biennial budget act, whichever is later. The primary goal appears to be increasing diversity in the school social worker profession by providing targeted financial support to underrepresented racial groups.

Education

https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/sen/bill/sb346