SB 1375 Summary

• Establishes the Arizona Nurses Academy through eligible postsecondary institutions (Arizona Board of Regents universities and community colleges) to incentivize students to enter nursing and practice in underserved areas.

• Provides annual scholarships of $5,000 per year (maximum 4 years) for university students and $3,000 per year (maximum 2 years) for community college students to cover tuition and fees.

• Requires scholarship recipients to commit to practice as a nurse for one calendar year per academic year of support in hospitals, community health centers, skilled nursing facilities, public schools in counties with population under 500,000, Indian reservations, or home health agencies.

• Establishes the Arizona Nurses Academy Fund (continuously appropriated) for scholarships and program administration, with marketing and administrative costs limited to 3 percent annually.

• Requires annual reporting to the legislature and governor on enrollment numbers, completion rates, practicing nurses, defaulted obligations, and fund distribution methodology.