TITLE: Relating to a plan by the Department of State Health Services to establish and improve tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment programs for health care professionals serving border communities.

SUMMARY: Relating to a plan by the Department of State Health Services to establish and improve tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment programs for health care professionals serving border communities.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to a plan by the Department of State Health Services to establish and improve tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment programs for health care professionals serving border communities. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. PLAN FOR ESTABLISHING AND IMPROVING TUITION REIMBURSEMENT AND STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAMS FOR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS IN BORDER COMMUNITIES. (a) The Department of State Health Services, in consultation with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, shall develop and adopt a plan to establish new and improve existing tuition reimbursement programs and programs providing assistance with the repayment of student loans for eligible health care professionals who are serving in communities near and along the international border of this state with the United Mexican States. (b) The plan developed under this section must: (1) require a health care professional to commit to full-time employment as a health care professional in the communities near and along the international border of this state with the United Mexican States for a specified time to be eligible for participation in the tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment programs; and (2) give preference for participation in the programs to health care professionals who live in those communities. SECTION 2. SUBMISSION TO LEGISLATURE. Not later than September 1, 2024, the Department of State Health Services shall submit to the legislature the plan developed under Section 1 of this Act and the estimated cost to this state of implementing the plan. SECTION 3. EXPIRATION. This Act expires January 1, 2025. SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.