What's happening
This bill creates a loan forgiveness program for credentialed alcoholism and substance abuse counselors working in licensed New York facilities.
Why it matters
Aims to address workforce shortages. by incentivizing more people to become and remain credentialed alcoholism and substance abuse counselors (CASACs), a field facing high demand and frequent turnover.
Targets counselors working in New York-licensed facilities. , ensuring the benefit supports professionals actively providing care within the state’s regulated substance abuse system.
Provides significant financial relief. by offering up to the full amount of student loan debt, making the profession more accessible to individuals who might otherwise be deterred by educational costs.
Limits participation to New York residents with at least one year’s residency. , prioritizing support for those with an established commitment to the state’s substance abuse treatment infrastructure.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Forgive CASAC Student Loans
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Assembly Member · Assembly District 127
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to higher education
- Referred to higher education
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
376
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by M. of A. STIRPE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Higher Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to providing loan forgiveness to credentialed alcoholism and substance abuse counselors
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 679-k to read as follows:
§ 679-k. Credentialed alcoholism and substance abuse counselor loan forgiveness program. 1. Purpose. The president shall grant student loan forgiveness awards to credentialed alcoholism and substance abuse counselors for the purpose of increasing the number of individuals serving in the service area of substance abuse counseling.
2. Certification. Credentialed alcoholism and substance abuse counselor loan forgiveness awards shall be awarded each year. Such awards shall be allocated as provided in this section to eligible credentialed alcoholism and substance abuse counselors, hereinafter referred to as CASACs, as certified to the commissioner by the president.
3. Definition. For the purposes of this section, a CASAC shall mean an alcoholism and substance abuse counselor credentialed in accordance with the New York Codes, Rules and Regulations Title 14 Section 853.5.
4. Eligibility. A CASAC shall be eligible for an award under this section provided that: (i) such person has been a resident of the state of New York for a minimum of one year and (ii) such person is employed as a CASAC in a facility licensed by the state of New York.
5. Duration. Each award shall entitle the recipient to an annual award and a recipient shall be eligible for no more than three years.
6. Amount. The corporation shall grant such awards based on availability of funds in an amount not to exceed the total cost of the student loan debt.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01488-01-5
7. Rules and regulations. The corporation is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations, and may promulgate emergency regulations necessary for the implementation of the provisions of this section.
§ 2. This act shall take effect April 1, 2027.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.