HB 213 Summary

• Establishes the Rural Nursing Loan Repayment Program administered by the Department of Health and Welfare to provide education loan repayments for nurses working in rural and underserved areas of Idaho.

• Creates an 8-member Rural Nursing Loan Repayment Grant Review Board composed of representatives from rural hospitals, long-term care facilities, nursing schools, health centers, and nursing associations to review applications and award grants.

• Provides grant awards of $5,000 after 1 year, $10,000 after 2 years, and $10,000 after 3 years of continuous employment with eligible employers in eligible areas, with a maximum lifetime award of $25,000 over 3 years.

• Limits eligibility to licensed practical nurses and registered nurses with unrestricted Idaho licenses working minimum 32 hours per week in eligible areas; excludes nurses receiving other nursing loan repayment assistance and advanced practice registered nurses.

• Establishes a Rural Nursing Loan Repayment Fund in the state treasury funded by legislative appropriations, healthcare industry contributions, private donations, and federal funds, with program administration expenses not to exceed 10% of annual appropriations; sunsets June 30, 2029.