Bill > HB5466

This bill amends the Community Behavioral Health Care Professional Loan Repayment Program Act to expand eligibility and renewal requirements for behavioral health professionals seeking loan repayment assistance. It defines a "behavioral health professional" as someone delivering behavioral health, mental health, or substance use disorder treatment or services. To be eligible for initial assistance, applicants must be currently working as a behavioral health professional in a community mental health center, behavioral health clinic, substance use treatment center, or State-operated psychiatric hospital located in an underserved or rural federally designated Mental Health Professional Shortage Area. For renewal awards, applicants must demonstrate continuous employment for the preceding 12 months in one of these qualifying facilities within such a shortage area. The bill also clarifies that the initial 12-month work requirement must be completed following the initial grant application, and it sets an effective date of July 1, 2026.

https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus?DocNum=5466&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104