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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Casey Kockler |
State Rep. Thomas Petrone |
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Petrone bill supporting mental health counselors
approved by committee
HARRISBURG, March 1 -- A bill sponsored by state Rep. Thomas Petrone, D-Allegheny, that would provide student loan forgiveness to mental health, mental retardation and substance abuse addiction counselors has been approved by the House Health and Human Services Committee.
The bill (H.B. 282) would offer loan forgiveness to Pennsylvania residents who graduate from higher education institutions and apply their degrees to in-state careers in the mental health field. The loan forgiveness would be up to $5,000 per year, up to a total of $20,000 per person.
Petrone says the bill would be a crucial component in boosting the mental health counselor workforce, a dwindling choice of profession.
“Quality care for mental health and addiction is essential for the well-being of Pennsylvania residents. My loan forgiveness bill would help to ensure we continue recruiting the best and the brightest into this rewarding field.”
The bill would provide for a partial repayment of debt incurred through Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency Stafford or consolidated loans while continuing education in a two-year or four-year program studying in the mental health or addiction counseling fields. Eligible applicants would have to be full-time employees of a county mental health or mental retardation service agency in Pennsylvania or full-time counselors at a licensed alcohol and drug addiction treatment facility in Pennsylvania.
The loan forgiveness bill now awaits consideration by the full House of Representatives.
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