MN HF3104

Expands loan forgiveness program eligibility to include nurse program graduates with a reduced two-year service obligation instead of three years, and allows consideration of licensed nurse graduates when fewer dental student applications are received.

Modifies nursing facility scholarship program period from July 1, 2001-June 30, 2003 to October 1, 2014-September 30, 2016, reduces minimum work hours from 20 to 10 hours per week, removes exclusion of registered nurses, and adds student loan reimbursement for newly hired and recently graduated nurses.

Creates nursing facility apprenticeship rate incentive program providing payment rate adjustments to reimburse wage differentials for employees in approved registered apprenticeship programs, with commissioner selecting participants and publishing requests for proposals by August 1, 2014.

Requires commissioner of employment and economic development to report by January 15, 2015 on creation of scholarship program for workforce serving aging population in home and community-based services, and to report tax credit recommendations by February 1, 2015.

Appropriates $260,000 in fiscal year 2015 for nurse loan forgiveness program and unspecified amounts for long-term care grant program, long-term care study, and nursing facility apprenticeship program.