A. With such funds as are appropriated for this purpose, the Board shall establish a tuition loan repayment program for persons licensed as practical nurses or registered nurses who meet criteria determined by the Board. The Commissioner shall act as the fiscal agent for the Board in administration of these funds. Prior to awarding any funds, the Board shall require the recipient to agree to perform a period of nursing service in this Commonwealth.

B. The Board shall promulgate regulations for the implementation and administration of the Nurse Loan Repayment Program. Applications for participation in the program shall be accepted from graduates of nursing education programs that prepare them for examination for licensure as a practical nurse or registered nurse, but preference shall be given to graduates of nursing education programs located in the Commonwealth.

C. Any loan repayment amounts repaid by recipients who fail to honor the obligation to perform a period of nursing service in the Commonwealth required by this section, and any interest thereon, shall be used only for the purposes of this section and shall not revert to the general fund.

History

2001, c. 188.