SB4000 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 19932 KTG 33382 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB4000

Introduced 2/6/2026, by Sen. Laura Fine

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Community Mental Health Workforce Paid Internship Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to establish the Community Mental Health Workforce Paid Internship Program to provide funding to eligible entities to support paid internships for non-clinical staff positions within a community mental health organization. Requires the Department to develop the necessary application procedures and standards for acceptance for eligible entities, including, but not limited to, consideration of (1) workforce shortages; (2) service to underserved or rural communities; (3) commitment to training, supervision, and mentorship of interns; and (4) efforts to promote workforce development. Sets forth internship requirements and the permissible uses for funds awarded under the program. Requires eligible entities to submit yearly reports to the Department outlining (1) number of interns hired; (2) duration of internships; (3) positions of internships; and (4) employment outcomes, such as retention, following internship. Requires the Department to submit a report, every 2 years, to the General Assembly outlining the program's outcomes and impact. Grants the Department rulemaking authority. Provides that the General Assembly may appropriate funds for the purposes of the Act. Effective July 1, 2026.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning mental health.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Community Mental Health Workforce Paid Internship Act.

Section 5. Findings and purpose.

(a) The General Assembly finds the following:

(1) Community mental health settings play a crucial role in quality, accessible, and equitable behavioral health care in Illinois.

(2) Non-clinical staff, including human resource officers, information technology technicians, finance administrators, administrative services, and other non-licensed clinical staff, serve important roles within a mental health organization and are essential to the effective operation of an organization.

(3) Workforce shortages, lack of awareness, and limited entry-level paid opportunities hinder the development of a sustainable non-clinical workforce.

(4) Paid internships improve an organization's recruitment, retention, loyalty, and diversity while strengthening the overall service delivery and quality of care.

(b) The purpose of this Act is to establish a paid internship program within the Department of Human Services to support workforce development and encourage recruitment of non-clinical positions in community mental health settings, including, but not limited to, positions in human resources, finance, and information technology.

Section 10. Definitions. As used in this Act:

"Community mental health setting" means an organization funded, licensed, or certified by the Department to provide community mental health services.

"Department" means the Department of Human Services.

"Eligible entity" means a department-approved community mental health setting.

"Intern" means an individual participating in a paid internship program developed under this Act.

"Non-clinical staff" means individuals who support the delivery of mental health services within an organization but do not provide licensed clinical treatment, including, but not limited to, administrative staff, information technology, finance, and human resources.

Section 15. Community Mental Health Workforce Paid Internship Program.

(a) The Department shall establish the Community Mental Health Workforce Paid Internship Program.

(b) The program shall provide funding to eligible entities to support paid internships for non-clinical staff positions within a community mental health organization.

(c) The Department shall develop the necessary application procedures and standards for acceptance for eligible entities, including, but not limited to, consideration of the following:

(1) workforce shortages;

(2) service to underserved or rural communities;

(3) commitment to training, supervision, and mentorship of interns; and

(4) efforts to promote workforce development.

Section 20. Internship requirements.

(a) Internships funded under this Act shall:

(1) provide appropriate compensation no less than the State's minimum wage;

(2) include structured training and oversight;

(3) be offered for no less than 10 weeks and no longer than one year; and

(4) support skill development relative to the area in which the intern is assigned.

(b) Interns may be current students, recent graduates, career changers, or others entering the community mental health field as designated by the Department.

Section 25. Use of funds. Funds awarded under this Act may be used for:

(1) intern wages, stipends, or other benefits;

(2) supervision and training costs; and

(3) other costs related to the direct provision of the internship program, as approved by the Department.

Section 30. Reporting requirements.

(a) Eligible entities shall submit yearly reports to the Department outlining the following:

(1) number of interns hired;

(2) duration of internships;

(3) positions of internships; and

(4) employment outcomes, such as retention, following internship.

(b) The Department shall submit a report to the General Assembly every 2 years outlining the program's outcomes and impact.

Section 35. Rulemaking authority. The Department may develop and adopt rules, policies, and procedures to assist in the implementation and administration of this Act.

Section 40. Appropriations. The General Assembly may appropriate funds for the purposes of this Act.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect July 1, 2026.