Bill > S1909

Introduced Session

This bill directs the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) to establish a two-year pilot program to increase recruitment, training, and retention of qualified health care personnel at the veterans memorial homes in Menlo Park, Paramus, and Vineland. The bill also provides for the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, in consultation with the State Employment and Training Commission and the Department of Health to create a clinical scholarship program funded by the Workforce Development Partnership Fund and for establishing recruitment bonuses to be paid to registered nurses or licensed practical nurses hired by the department to work in the veterans memorial homes. The amount of the bonus to each recruit could not exceed $6,000; the bonus would be payable in equal installments over two years. The bill also requires the DMVA to reimburse the education costs incurred by current employees who pursue education credits to obtain a licensed practical nursing diploma, a registered nursing degree, or another qualified program degree or certificate. As a condition for receiving the reimbursement, participants would have to agree to work for at least two years at a veterans memorial home after obtaining a registered nursing degree or licensed practical nursing certification. Further, the bill requires the DMVA to establish a list of training and certification programs concerning infection control, geriatric care, PTSD management, and trauma-informed care for veterans for health care personnel employed at the veterans homes. The bill directs the Adjutant General to report annually on the pilot program to the Governor and to the Legislature's committees on health and budget and appropriations. The report is to include information on the level of participation in the program and on the program's success in increasing recruitment, training, and retention of qualified health care personnel at the homes and make any appropriate recommendations for legislative action. Finally, the bill appropriates from the Workforce Development Partnership Fund to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs a total of $370,000. Of this amount, $120,000 is allocated to the payment of recruiting bonuses and $250,000 is allocated to the payment of training reimbursements.

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Latham Tiver (R)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Labor Committee (on 01/13/2026)

Official Document