Enacts the "building retention and internship-to-degree graduate employment (BRIDGE) act"; provides limited work permits for students in a master of social work program; establishes policies and procedures for such work permit.
Summary
A09560 enacts the “building retention and internship-to-degree graduate employment (BRIDGE) act” and amends the Education Law to create a new pathway for certain master of social work students to obtain a limited permit. Under the bill, an applicant who has completed at least 450 hours of fieldwork in a registered MSW program may apply for a permit that becomes effective upon graduation, provided a qualified supervisor certifies that they will oversee the permittee and authorize continued practice in the supervisor’s practice or agency.
The permit would allow the graduate to practice only under supervision and in accordance with regulations issued by the commissioner. The bill also specifies that these permits are issued on an application prescribed by the department and are valid for the same period as existing limited permits under the same section of law. The act would take effect 120 days after becoming law.
Impact
The bill would amend section 7705 of the Education Law by adding a new subdivision governing limited permits for master of social work graduates, thereby expanding the circumstances under which social work students can begin supervised practice before full licensure. It affects the State Education Department’s permitting process, licensed social workers who supervise permit holders, social work employers and agencies, and MSW graduates seeking to transition more quickly from fieldwork to paid or authorized practice.
Sentiment
No committee transcript or vote record was provided, so there is no documented debate, support, or opposition to assess. Based on the bill text and caption alone, the measure appears aimed at workforce retention and smoother entry into the social work profession, suggesting a generally facilitative policy approach rather than a controversial one.
Contention
Because there are no recorded committee discussions or votes in the provided materials, no specific points of contention are documented. Potential areas of concern that could arise from the text include supervision standards, the scope of practice allowed under the permit, and whether the 450-hour threshold and immediate post-graduation permit issuance are sufficient to protect clients while addressing workforce needs.
Same As
Enacts the "building retention and internship-to-degree graduate employment (BRIDGE) act"; provides limited work permits for students in a master of social work program; establishes policies and procedures for such work permit.
Enacts the "building retention and internship-to-degree graduate employment (BRIDGE) act"; provides limited work permits for students in a master of social work program; establishes policies and procedures for such work permit.
Establishes a master of social work paid field practicum pilot program to provide a stipend to students who are enrolled in a master of social work program for the first 450 hours of field practicum completed towards such masters' degree; requires the office of mental health to complete a report making recommendations on how to expand the pilot program to increase the number of social workers in the state, improve representation in the field of social work, mitigate student debt and improve labor conditions for social workers upon graduation.
Establishes a master of social work paid field practicum pilot program to provide a stipend to students who are enrolled in a master of social work program for the first 450 hours of field practicum completed towards such masters' degree; requires the office of mental health to complete a report making recommendations on how to expand the pilot program to increase the number of social workers in the state, improve representation in the field of social work, mitigate student debt and improve labor conditions for social workers upon graduation.
Extends the duration of limited permits to practice licensed clinical social work and use the title licensed clinical social worker, or practice licensed master social work and use the title licensed master social worker from twelve to twenty-four months with the ability to be renewed for up to two additional one-year periods.
Establishing the Social Worker Educational Enrollment and Training Program; and providing for authorization of internships, for award of internships and for funding of the Social Worker Educational Enrollment and Training Program.
Extends the duration of limited permits to practice licensed clinical social work and use the title licensed clinical social worker, or practice licensed master social work and use the title licensed master social worker from twelve to twenty-four months with the ability to be renewed for up to two additional one-year periods.
Establishing the Social Worker Educational Enrollment and Training Pilot Program; and providing for authorization of internships, for award of internships and for funding of the Social Worker Educational Enrollment and Training Pilot Program.
Enacts the "licensure incentives and fee-support for testing (LIFT) act"; establishes the social work licensure examination voucher program to provide low-income individuals vouchers to cover the cost of the examination required for licensure as a licensed master social worker or licensed clinical social worker.