Health occupations: social workers; social worker scholarship fund; create. Creates new act.
Summary
Senate Bill 846 creates a new social worker scholarship program administered by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. The program would provide up to $1,000 to eligible individuals who are seeking licensure as a bachelor’s or master’s social worker, but who failed the required qualifying exam on their first attempt. The scholarship is limited to one award per person and is intended to help cover exam-related costs, including registration, preparation materials, study courses, transportation, and child care.
To qualify, an applicant must be a Michigan resident, state an intent to become a licensed social worker in the state, and agree to serve in a health professional shortage area or with a medically underserved population. The department would be required to adopt rules, publicize the program with universities and nonprofits, and collect documentation showing that recipients are actively working toward passing the exam within six months of receiving the award. If a recipient does not meet the follow-up requirements, the department must seek repayment unless it grants an extension for illness, family emergency, or lack of available testing sites.
Impact
The bill would add a new chapter of state law establishing a dedicated scholarship program and a social worker scholarship fund in the state treasury. It would give the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs new administrative duties, including rulemaking, application processing, outreach, repayment enforcement, and annual reporting to the Legislature. The fund would be able to receive money from any source, retain year-end balances, and be used only for scholarships under the act, subject to appropriation.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee testimony or votes in the provided materials, the overall sentiment appears supportive and workforce-oriented. The proposal is framed as a targeted incentive to help aspiring social workers overcome licensure exam barriers and to encourage service in shortage areas and underserved communities. The reporting requirement also suggests an emphasis on accountability and measuring program outcomes.
Contention
No specific opposition or debate is reflected in the provided transcripts or voting history. The main policy choices embedded in the bill are the narrow eligibility standard for first-time exam failures, the relatively small award cap of $1,000, the service-location requirement, and the repayment provision for noncompliance. Potential points of concern, if raised, would likely involve whether the award amount is sufficient, how strictly the service commitment and repayment rules should be enforced, and whether the program should be expanded to more applicants or other behavioral health professions.