A South Dakota legislative committee unanimously decided to advance a bill that would set aside $20 million in scholarships for students going into behavioral health careers, South Dakota Public Broadcasting reported Feb. 3.
The bill would allocate $20 million to the South Dakota Department of Health from the state's general fund. According to the report, $5 million of the funds will immediately go toward scholarships, while the remaining $15 million will go toward keeping the scholarship program running.
Recipients must stay and work in South Dakota in behavioral health positions for at least one year longer than the number of years they received a scholarship.
The state's Joint Committee on Appropriations will review the legislation next.