(Doc Name h:\legwork\house\amend\h-wm\010\dss tuition loan.docx):
EXPLANATION: Allows DSS to provide for Tuition Reimbursement and Loan Repayments. Conforms to funding.
Amend the bill, as and if amended, Part IB, Section 38,
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, page 367, after line 24, by
adding an appropriately numbered paragraph to read:
/(Tuition Reimbursement/Student Loan Repayment) The
Department of Social Services is allowed to spend state,
federal, and other sources of revenue to provide tuition
reimbursement and/or student loan repayment to aid in retaining
caseworkers and critical needs department jobs based on
objective guidelines established by the State Director of the
Department of Social Services.
The department may also provide paid educational leave
for any employees in an FTE position to attend class while
enrolled in programs that are related to the agency's mission.
All such leave is at the agency head's discretion.
The department may enter into an agreement with staff
employed in critical need departments to repay them for their
outstanding student loans and/or reimburse tuition expenses. The
employee must be employed in a critical needs area, which would
be identified at the agency head's discretion, be in a covered
FTE, and not have any disciplinary actions. Participants in this
program must agree to remain at the Department for a period of
five years. The department may pay these employees up to $7,500
each year over a five-year period in accordance with a program
developed by the Department. Payments will be made directly to
the employee at the end of each year of employment. Payments
cannot exceed the balance of the student loan or the cost of
tuition./
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend totals and titles to conform.