In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
“Education loan” means any loan that is obtained for tuition, educational expenses, or living expenses for State certification, undergraduate, or graduate study leading to practice as a nurse or nursing support staff.
“Fund” means the Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment Program Fund for Nurses and Nursing Support Staff.
“Nurse” includes:
An advanced practice registered nurse, as defined in § 8–101(b) of the Health Occupations Article certified to practice as a nurse midwife or clinical nurse specialist;
A licensed practical nurse, as defined in § 8–101(h) of the Health Occupations Article;
A nurse anesthetist, as defined in § 8–101(k) of the Health Occupations Article;
A registered nurse, as defined in § 8–101(p) of the Health Occupations Article; and
A registered nurse practitioner, as defined in § 8–101(q) of the Health Occupations Article.
“Nursing support staff” includes:
A certified medication technician, as defined in § 8–6A–01(j) of the Health Occupations Article;
A certified medicine aide, as defined in § 8–6A–01(k) of the Health Occupations Article;
A certified nursing assistant, as defined in § 8–6A–01(l) of the Health Occupations Article; and
A geriatric nursing assistant, as defined in § 8–6A–01(o) of the Health Occupations Article.
“Program” means the Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment Program for Nurses and Nursing Support Staff.
There is a Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment Program Fund for Nurses and Nursing Support Staff.
The Fund is a continuing, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.
The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund.
The Fund shall be invested and reinvested in the same manner as other State funds.
Any investment earnings of the Fund shall be paid into the Fund.
The Fund consists of:
Revenue generated through a permanent funding structure recommended to the General Assembly by a stakeholder workgroup convened by the Department;
Any available federal funds;
Interest earnings; and
Any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the Fund.
Expenditures from the Fund shall be made by an appropriation in the annual State budget or by an approved budget amendment as provided under § 7–209 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.
The money in the Fund shall be used by the Office of the Comptroller to administer the Program.
There is a Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment Program for Nurses and Nursing Support Staff.
In this section, “eligible field of employment” means:
Employment by an organization, an institution, an association, a society, or a corporation that is exempt from taxation under § 501(c)(3) or (4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; or
For–profit employment in an area of the State identified by the Department as having a health care workforce shortage or public health need.
“Eligible field of employment” includes employment by the State or a local government in the State.
The Department shall use the Fund to assist in the repayment of the amount of education loans owed by a nurse or nursing support staff who:
Practices in an eligible field of employment; or
Meets any other requirements established by the Department.
Any unspent portions of the money that is transferred to the Department for use under this subtitle may not be transferred to or revert to the General Fund of the State, but shall remain in the Fund maintained by the Department to administer the Program.
In addition to the assistance provided under § 24–1904 of this subtitle, the Department may, subject to the availability of money in the Fund, assist in the repayment of an education loan owed by a nurse or nursing support staff who:
Practices a medical specialty that has been identified by the Department as being in shortage in the geographic area of the State where the nurse practices that specialty; and
Commits to practicing in the area for a period of time determined by the Department.
The Department shall prioritize funding for the repayment of education loans through the Program in the following order:
Nurses or nursing support staff who meet the requirements under § 24–1904(b)(1) of this subtitle;
Nurses or nursing support staff practicing in primary care in a geographic area where the Department has identified a shortage of nurses or nursing support staff; and
Nurses or nursing support staff practicing in a medical specialty other than primary care in a geographic area where the Department has identified a shortage of that specialty.
The Department shall adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of this subtitle, including regulations that:
With advice from a stakeholder workgroup convened by the Department, establish priorities for funding the repayment of education loans through the Program;
Establish the maximum number of participants in the Program each year in each priority area established under item (1) of this section; and
Establish the minimum and maximum amount of loan repayment assistance awarded under this subtitle in each priority area established under item (1) of this section.
On or before October 1, 2023, and each October 1 thereafter, the Department shall report to the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on:
The eligible nurses and nursing support staff who applied for the Program, including information on:
The practice of the nurse or nursing support staff;
The type and location of the site in which the nurse or nursing support staff provided services; and
The geographic area served by the nurse or nursing support staff; and
The nurses and nursing support staff who participated in the Program, including information on:
The amount of assistance provided to each participant;
The practice of the participant;
The type and location of the site in which the participant provided services; and
The geographic area served by the participant.