Bill > HB1676

This bill establishes the Nursing Shortage Assistance Program within the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry to address nursing workforce challenges. The program will provide grants to "qualified nursing servicers" - entities that contract with educational institutions, nursing students, and hospitals to facilitate loan repayment and career opportunities for nurses. Qualified nursing servicers can apply for grants to help nursing students repay student loans and secure post-graduation employment, with each nurse potentially receiving up to $10,000 annually or $30,000 in total loan assistance. Partner hospitals must provide matching funds and commit to employing the nurses, and they must use their own matching funds before accessing state grant money. The department will evaluate grant applications based on factors like the number of students who would receive assistance, the types of nursing degrees, geographic distribution, and plans for supporting nurses' success. The bill requires the Department of Labor and Industry to develop program guidelines, open a 30-day application period annually, and submit an annual report to the General Assembly detailing the program's effectiveness, including the names of partner hospitals and the number of potential nurses receiving tuition reimbursement. The program is set to begin with the fiscal year starting July 1, 2025, and will take effect 60 days after passage.

Labor and Employment

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1676