Bill > HF1111

This bill establishes a grant and forgivable loan program administered by the Minnesota Commissioner of Health to support dental assisting and dental hygiene higher education programs. The program aims to expand student enrollment capacity through various eligible projects, including infrastructure improvements for clinics and classrooms, creating student scholarships, improving faculty and staff salaries, obtaining educational resources, and addressing other identified needs. The Commissioner will award grants and forgivable loans to programs accredited (or in the process of becoming accredited) by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, with priority given to programs showing the highest potential to increase student capacity. The bill specifies that the Commissioner cannot show preference between dental hygiene and dental assisting programs, and allows institutions with both program types to submit joint applications. To fund this initiative, the bill appropriates $20 million from the general fund in fiscal year 2026, with the funds available until June 30, 2028, specifically to support these expanded capacity grants and forgivable loans.

Health and Social Services

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF1111&ssn=0&y=2025