PRINTER'S NO. 1147
No. 861 Session of 2007
INTRODUCED BY COHEN, DeWEESE, BELFANTI, FREEMAN, BLACKWELL,
CURRY, DePASQUALE, FABRIZIO, GEORGE, GOODMAN, GRUCELA, JAMES,
KIRKLAND, KORTZ, LEACH, McGEEHAN, MOYER, MURT, MYERS,
PALLONE, READSHAW, SANTONI, McILVAINE SMITH, SOLOBAY, SURRA,
WALKO, WANSACZ, WATERS, YUDICHAK, DeLUCA, GEIST AND K. SMITH,
APRIL 2, 2007
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,
APRIL 2, 2007
AN ACT
1 Providing for the establishment of a nursing loan forgiveness
2 program for persons employed in the nursing profession in
3 underserved areas.
4 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
5 hereby enacts as follows:
6 Section 1. Short title.
7 This act shall be known and may be cited as the Nursing
8 Shortage Initiative Act.
9 Section 2. Purpose.
10 The purpose of this act is to provide an incentive to
11 Pennsylvania nurses and Pennsylvania students who pursue higher
12 education and training in nursing programs to seek and accept
13 full-time employment in underserved areas.
14 Section 3. Definitions.
15 The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
16 have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
1 context clearly indicates otherwise:
2 "Agency." The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance
3 Agency.
4 "Approved course of study." A program or curriculum offered
5 by a postsecondary educational institution which provides
6 instruction in nursing and has been approved by the board.
7 "Approved educational institution." A postsecondary
8 educational institution which is authorized to provide approved
9 courses of study and diplomas or certificates approved by the
10 agency as an institution in which students may enroll to
11 participate in the program.
12 "Department." The Department of Labor and Industry of the
13 Commonwealth.
14 "Licensed practical nurse." An individual licensed under the
15 laws of this Commonwealth to practice practical nursing.
16 "Nurse." A licensed practical or registered nurse.
17 "Program." The Nursing Shortage Initiative Program.
18 "Registered nurse." An individual licensed under the laws of
19 this Commonwealth to practice professional nursing.
20 "Student." An individual domiciled in this Commonwealth who
21 attends or is about to attend a postsecondary educational
22 institution located in this Commonwealth.
23 "Underserved area." An area designated by the Department of
24 Labor and Industry by regulation.
25 Section 4. Establishment.
26 (a) Establishment.--The Nursing Shortage Initiative Program
27 is established within the department. The program shall be for
28 repayment of student loans for nurses providing direct patient
29 care in underserved areas.
30 (b) Administration.--The program shall be administered by
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1 the department.
2 Section 5. Repayment assistance.
3 The agency may provide assistance for the repayment of a
4 student loan for education at an institution of higher learning
5 received by a nurse. Repayment assistance may not be made for a
6 loan that is in default at the time of the application or for a
7 loan being repaid through any other loan repayment assistance
8 program. Repayment shall be made by the agency to the lending
9 institution on behalf of the loan recipient.
10 Section 6. Eligibility.
11 Consideration for loan repayment assistance shall be as set
12 forth in regulations promulgated by the department.
13 Section 7. Regulations.
14 The department shall promulgate regulations and procedures
15 necessary to carry out the purposes of this act.
16 Section 8. Funding.
17 Loan forgiveness repayments shall be made to the extent that
18 funds are appropriated by the General Assembly for this act.
19 Section 20. Effective date.
20 This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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