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SB 4000

DHS-COMM MENTAL HLTH WORKFORCE

104th Regular Session Introduced by Sara Feigenholtz and 2 co-sponsors

Illinois would create a paid internship program within DHS to grow non-clinical staff in community mental health, with wages, mentorship, and outcomes reporting.

Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Sara Feigenholtz
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Bill Summary · SB 4000

Summary of SB 4000 (104th Illinois General Assembly)

Title: Community Mental Health Workforce Paid Internship Act

Jurisdiction: Illinois

Sponsor: Senator Laura Fine (co-sponsor also Sen. Adriane Johnson)

Introduced: February 6, 2026

Status: Introduced; referred to appropriate committees (as of the action history). Effective date set for July 1, 2026 if enacted.

Purpose and intent

  • Establish a program within the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) to develop and fund paid internships for non-clinical staff in community mental health settings.
  • Address workforce shortages in non-clinical roles (e.g., human resources, information technology, finance, administrative services) that support the operation and delivery of community mental health services.
  • Promote recruitment, retention, diversity, and professional development in non-clinical areas critical to service delivery and organizational functioning.

Key provisions

Program establishment and administration

  • Creates the Community Mental Health Workforce Paid Internship Program within DHS.
  • DHS must develop application procedures and standards for eligible entities to participate.
  • Eligible entities are department-approved community mental health settings (funded/licensed/certified by DHS).

Eligibility criteria and prioritization (for applicants)

  • DHS must consider factors such as:
    • Workforce shortages in non-clinical roles.
    • Service to underserved or rural communities.
    • Commitment to training, supervision, and mentorship of interns.
    • Efforts to promote broader workforce development.

Internship requirements

  • Interns must receive compensation no less than the state's minimum wage.
  • Programs must include structured training and oversight.
  • Internship duration must be between 10 weeks and 12 months.
  • Internships should support skill development relevant to the intern’s assigned area.

Use of funds

  • Funds may be used for:
    • Intern wages, stipends, or other benefits.
    • Supervision and training costs.
    • Other costs directly related to implementing the internship program, as approved by DHS.

Eligibility and duration of internships

  • Interns may be current students, recent graduates, career changers, or others entering the community mental health field as designated by DHS.

Reporting and accountability

  • Eligible entities must submit annual reports to DHS detailing:
    • Number of interns hired.
    • Internship duration.
    • Internship positions.
    • Employment outcomes (e.g., retention after internship).
  • DHS must report to the General Assembly every two years on program outcomes and impact.

Rulemaking and appropriations

  • DHS has rulemaking authority to implement the Act.
  • The General Assembly may appropriate funds to support the program.

Effective date

  • July 1, 2026.

Who is affected

  • Community mental health organizations that are approved by DHS to participate (eligible entities).
  • Non-clinical staff positions in these organizations (participants in the paid internship program).
  • Departments within DHS responsible for administration, oversight, and reporting.
  • General Assembly via biannual program impact reports.

Potential impact

  • Strengthened non-clinical workforce capacity in Illinois community mental health settings.
  • Improved recruitment and retention of administrative and support staff, potentially enhancing overall service delivery.
  • Increased opportunities for students, new graduates, and career changers to gain paid, structured experience in the mental health field.
  • Enhanced data collection on internship outcomes and program effectiveness to inform policy decisions.

Timeline notes

  • Authorized funding and program operations would begin upon enactment and implementation of DHS rules.
  • Annual reporting by participating entities; biennial program impact report to the General Assembly.
  • Effective date set for July 1, 2026, aligning with the start of program operations if enacted.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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