An Act providing for Commonwealth support for a Mental Health and Intellectual Disability Staff Member Loan Forgiveness Program and an Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselor Loan Forgiveness Program; and imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency.

This bill establishes a loan forgiveness program in Pennsylvania to help recruit and retain workers in mental health, intellectual disability, and addiction counseling fields. It directly affects full-time employees at county mental health agencies, private providers, and licensed addiction treatment facilities who have student loans and agree to work in these professions for at least four years. Under the program, eligible workers can receive up to $25,000 in loan forgiveness over four years, with a maximum of $6,250 forgiven each year, provided they remain employed in qualifying positions. The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency is tasked with administering the program and determining compliance with employment requirements.