S 7894 New York Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Establishes a master of social work paid field practicum pilot program

Summary

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.

Issues: ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

May 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced May 13, 2025 Last action Apr 27, 2026

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What changed between versions

S7894 → S7894A · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to change the program name from 'field work' to 'field practicum' and update the start date from Fall 2025 to Fall 2026. The eligibility criteria were simplified by removing the requirement that programs be accredited by the Council of Social Work Education or deemed equivalent by the Department of Education, and the Department of Education was renamed to the State Education Department. The data collection requirements were also significantly restructured to focus on enrollment trends and financial stability rather than specific retention metrics.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed by removing the requirement that participating programs be accredited by the Council of Social Work Education or deemed substantially equivalent by the Department of Education.

TIMELINE

The pilot program start date was delayed from the Fall 2025 semester to the Fall 2026 semester.

DEFINITION

The program title and references were updated from 'field work' to 'field practicum' throughout the text.

REQUIREMENT

The requirement for programs to be accredited by the Council of Social Work Education or deemed equivalent by the Department of Education was removed.

The Department of Education was renamed to the State Education Department in several instances.

ENFORCEMENT

Data collection requirements were restructured to focus on enrollment trends and financial stability, and the method for distributing informational materials changed from a public awareness campaign to posting on school websites.

TECHNICAL

The end date for stipend renewal was extended from the Spring 2029 semester to the Spring 2030 semester.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 27, 2026

Upper · Passed

PRINT NUMBER 7894A

upper

Apr 27, 2026

Upper · Passed

AMEND (T) AND RECOMMIT TO MENTAL HEALTH

upper

Jan 7, 2026

Committee

REFERRED TO MENTAL HEALTH

upper

May 13, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO MENTAL HEALTH

upper

1 primary · 10 co-sponsors