MN HF2715

Expands the home and community-based services employee scholarship program to include loan forgiveness for qualified educational loans secured by employees for tuition, training, examinations, and living expenses related to graduate or undergraduate education.

Eligible providers must primarily serve individuals age 65 and older in home and community-based settings, including assisted living facilities, housing with services, adult day care, and home care services.

Providers receiving grants must use funds to award scholarships and repay qualified educational loans for employees working an average of at least 16 hours per week for education leading to career advancement in long-term care, home care, disability services, nursing, or as a licensed assisted living director.

Commissioner must publish annual requests for proposals specifying provider eligibility, program criteria, selection criteria, and maximum award amounts, with grants not lapsing until the grant agreement expires.

Allows nursing assistants hired on or after March 1, 2020, to complete a competency evaluation within six months after the CMS COVID-19-related 1135 waiver expires, provided they accumulate 100 hours of work experience including training on abuse, neglect, and exploitation prevention.