PUBLIC SERVICE LAW LOAN REPAYMENT ADDITIONS

SB 491 expands New Mexico's loan repayment program to include child and family welfare workers. It creates a new "Child and Family Welfare Worker Loan Repayment Act" that provides funding to repay student loans for public service workers with bachelor's or master's degrees in critical fields like social work. Eligible workers must have completed at least one year of service with the Office of Family Representation and Advocacy, with repayment amounts tied to years served (capped at $25,000 per worker). The bill establishes a dedicated fund and requires the office to provide an annual list of qualifying job classifications to the Higher Education Department.