HB 24-1049

HB 24-1049, which has been signed into law, establishes a program that helps school counselors, psychologists, and social workers pay off up to $10,000 in student loans if they work with students who have limited access to mental health services. This fund will be managed by the Department of Higher Education, aiming to improve mental health support for Colorado's students. The program will run until July 1, 2029, and its progress will be reported annually to state education committees.

Official Summary

Colorado Youth Advisory Council Review Committee. The bill creates the licensed school mental health professional loan repayment program (program) in the department of higher education. The purpose of the program is to provide loan repayment of up to $10,000 to eligible school counselors, school psychologists, and school social workers who provide mental health services to students who have limited access to mental health services. The commission on higher education (commission) administers the program. The bill creates in the state treasury the licensed school mental health professional loan repayment program fund. The bill requires that the commission submit an annual report to the education committees of the house of representatives and the senate on or before October 31 of each year the program is operational. The program repeals on July 1, 2029. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)