summary
Introduced
02/02/2026
02/02/2026
In Committee
02/06/2026
02/06/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amends the State Board of Education Article of the School Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, the State Board of Education shall award competitive grants on an annual basis to school districts and other educational units that have school social work interns to assist those school districts and other educational units in the funding of school social work internships approved by the interns' educator preparation programs by providing stipends. Sets forth the stipend amount. Provides that the State Board of Education shall annually disseminate to school districts and other educational units that have school social work interns a request for applications for grants. Provides that grant applications shall be accepted on an annual basis. Provides that the State Board of Education shall establish procedures for submitting requests for stipends and issuing funds to approved applicants. Provides for prioritizing grants if an appropriation is insufficient to fund all applications for grants. Provides that for any school year in which grants are awarded, the State Board of Education shall produce a report on the awarding of grants, in cooperation with the school districts and educational units that are awarded grants. Sets forth requirements for the report. Provides that the report shall be posted on the State Board of Education's Internet website each school year in which grants are awarded. Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Provides that the Board of Higher Education shall establish and administer a grant program to support the field placement of social workers. Provides that the Board shall distribute the funds appropriated for this purpose in the form of grants to public or nonpublic institutions of higher education to expand opportunities for students who are intending to become social workers and to assist students in pursuing social-work related field placements, internships, and other work opportunities. Sets forth other requirements concerning the operation of the grant program. Effective immediately.
AI Summary
This bill establishes two grant programs to support aspiring social workers. Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, the State Board of Education will award competitive annual grants to school districts and other educational units that have school social work interns, providing stipends of at least $15,000 per year or $25 per hour to help fund these internships, which are part of approved educator preparation programs. The State Board will annually solicit applications and establish procedures for awarding these stipends, prioritizing schools designated as Tier 1 or Tier 2 if funding is insufficient. A report on grant recipients and amounts will be published online each year grants are awarded. Additionally, the Board of Higher Education will create and manage a grant program to support social work field placements at public or nonpublic colleges and universities, aiming to expand opportunities for students pursuing social work careers through internships and other work experiences, with a requirement to serve a representative cross-section of students and a prohibition on funding sectarian purposes.
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Referred to Rules Committee (on 02/06/2026)
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