CS for SB 356 - Keep Our Graduates Working Act

• Creates s. 120.82, F.S., prohibiting state authorities from suspending or revoking professional licenses solely due to student loan delinquency or default on federal or state-guaranteed loans.

• Amends s. 456.072 to specify that failure to repay student loans is not considered a failure to perform statutory or legal obligations for health care practitioners.

• Repeals s. 456.0721, which previously allowed immediate suspension of health care practitioner licenses upon student loan default.

• Removes the former requirement for minimum disciplinary action including license suspension, probation, and fines equal to 10 percent of defaulted loan amounts.

• Amends s. 1009.95 to require the Department of Education to comply with the new restrictions when collecting delinquent student loans.

• Takes effect July 1, 2020.