Bill

S 7894

Establishes a master of social work paid field practicum pilot program

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Cordell Cleare and 10 co-sponsors

Establishes a paid MSW fieldwork pilot to fund supervised placements in mental health settings for MSW students, with stipends and oversight.

PRINT NUMBER 7894A

WeVote Research Nonpartisan

Bill Summary · S 7894

Summary of Bill: S 7894 – Establishes a Master of Social Work Paid Field Work Pilot Program

Overview

S 7894 seeks to establish a paid field work pilot program linked to Master of Social Work (MSW) training. The bill is currently referred to the Mental Health committee for consideration and has not yet become law. It was introduced on May 13, 2025, and has multiple sponsors, including Julia Salazar as the primary sponsor.

Purpose and Intent

The primary objective, as indicated by the title, is to create a paid field placement or field work pilot specifically for MSW students.
The pilot is presumably designed to enhance practical training in social work within mental health settings, with an emphasis on paid field experiences rather than unpaid internships.

Key Provisions (as Introduced)

The text provided here does not include the detailed provisions of the bill. Based on the title, the bill would:
- Establish a pilot program granting paid field work placements to enrolled MSW students.
- Likely set parameters for eligibility (who can participate), placement settings (e.g., mental health clinics, hospitals, community-based organizations), duration, and supervision requirements.
- Contain governance or oversight provisions (which state department or agency administers the pilot) and reporting requirements.
- Address funding mechanisms (source of stipends or wages) and any matching funds or implementation timelines.
Specifics such as stipend amounts, geographic scope, duration of the pilot, participating institutions, and evaluation metrics are not provided in the summary and would be defined in the bill’s full text.

Who Would Be Affected

MSW students participating in field work as part of their degree programs.
Educational institutions with MSW programs that place students in paid field settings.
Mental health and social service organizations that would host or supervise MSW field placements.
State or supervising agencies responsible for program administration and oversight.
Taxpayers and the state budget, to the extent that funding is required for stipends and program administration.

Legislative Status and Timeline

Introduced: May 13, 2025.
Status: Referred to the Mental Health committee (listed twice in the record, indicating official referral actions on the same date).
Next steps typically include committee hearings, potential amendments, and floor votes in the chamber.

Potential Impact and Considerations

Potential benefits: Enhanced practical training for MSW students, improved readiness for practice in mental health settings, and possible recruitment or retention improvements in the social work workforce.
Fiscal considerations: The pilot would likely require funding for stipends and program administration; exact amounts and funding sources would be defined in the bill.
Evaluation: Likely to include performance metrics to assess outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and scalability beyond the pilot if successful.

Next Steps for Readers

Monitor committee actions in Mental Health for hearings, amendments, and votes.
Review the full text of the bill when available to understand eligibility, funding, duration, evaluation criteria, and implementation details.

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