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Amend the bill in section 1 in §1038 in subsection 3 by striking out all of paragraphs B to D (page 1, lines 17 to 22 in L.D.) and inserting the following:
 
‘B.  Have completed a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree in social work from an accredited school of social work within 3 years prior to the date the applicant's application is received by the authority;
 
C.  Possess an outstanding education loan relating to the degree;
 
D.  Practice in an underserved practice area, including but not limited to the practice of social work:
 
(1) In a public or private child welfare or family service agency;
 
(2) In a public interest law service;
 
(3) In a public child care facility;
 
(4) In a public service for individuals with disabilities;
 
(5) In a public service for the elderly;
 
(6) In a public service for veterans; or
 
(7) At an organization exempt from taxation under the Unites States Internal Revenue Code, Section 501(c)(3).
 
Priority consideration must be given to social workers practicing in a public or private child welfare or family service agency, in a public service for the elderly or in a public service for individuals with disabilities;
 
E.  Submit an application to the authority, which must include but is not limited to information concerning academic performance, awards and special honors and community involvement; and
 
F. Have signed a statement of intent in a form acceptable to the authority to work as a social worker in the State for a minimum of 3 years after acceptance into the program.’
Amend the bill in section 1 in §1038 in subsection 4 by striking out all of paragraph A (page 1, lines 26 to 31 in L.D.) and inserting the following:
 
‘A. The authority may receive, invest and expend on behalf of the fund money from gifts, grants, bequests and donations in addition to money appropriated or allocated by the State and any federal funds received by the State for the benefit of social workers who have outstanding education loans. Money received by the authority on behalf of the fund must be used for the purposes of this subchapter. The fund must be maintained and administered by the authority. Any unexpended balance in the fund carries forward for continued use under this subchapter.’
Amend the bill in section 1 in §1038 in subsection 5 in the 2nd and 3rd lines (page 1, line 35 and page 2, line 1 in L.D.) by striking out all of the 2nd sentence and inserting the following: 'The authority shall repay the loans of up to 3 applicants each year who meet the criteria in subsection 3 in the amount of up to $5,000 for each applicant.'
 
SUMMARY
This amendment amends the criteria that apply to social workers who may be eligible for the Social Work Education Loan Repayment Program. The amendment also strikes the provision in the bill that authorized the Finance Authority of Maine to borrow money on behalf of the program and clarifies that the Finance Authority of Maine is authorized to receive, invest and expend any federal funds received by the State for the benefit of social workers who have outstanding education loans.