An Act to create 20.255 (3) (cm) and 115.428 of the statutes; Relating to: stipend payments for school social worker interns and making an appropriation. (FE)
Summary
SB340 would create a new state program, administered by the Department of Public Instruction, to pay stipends to qualifying school social worker interns. To be eligible, an individual must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program leading to school social worker licensure and must be placed as an intern in a public school governed by a school board. The bill directs that these payments begin in the 2026-27 school year.
The bill also makes a specific appropriation for the program: $2,000,000 in general purpose revenue in each of fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27. It creates a new statutory appropriation line for school social worker intern stipends and a new statute establishing the program requirements. The bill would take effect after publication, or after the 2025 biennial budget act is published, whichever is later.
Impact
SB340 would amend Wisconsin statutes by creating s. 20.255 (3) (cm) and s. 115.428, thereby authorizing DPI to distribute stipend payments to school social worker interns and tying the program to a dedicated state appropriation. The measure would affect state education finance, higher education students in social work preparation programs, and public schools that host interns, while also adding a new ongoing budget item in the DPI appropriation schedule.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been generally supportive in concept, as reflected by its broad bipartisan and bicameral sponsorship from many senators and representatives. However, there is no recorded committee transcript or vote history in the provided context to show detailed debate, amendments, or formal support/opposition. The bill ultimately did not become law, failing to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1.
Contention
The main likely point of contention is fiscal: the bill commits $2 million per year in general purpose revenue for a new stipend program, which may raise budget-priority questions. Another possible issue is program scope, since the stipend is limited to interns in public schools governed by a school board and to students in licensure-track programs, which could prompt questions about eligibility, administration, and whether the program should be expanded or targeted differently. No specific objections or supporters are documented in the provided discussion materials.
Crossfiled
An Act to create 20.255 (3) (cm) and 115.428 of the statutes; Relating to: stipend payments for school social worker interns and making an appropriation. (FE)