SB 2721 Summary

• Establishes three workforce development grant programs funded by federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds to address healthcare worker shortages caused by COVID-19 disruptions.

• Creates Mississippi Healthcare Workforce Development Program to provide education and training in nursing fields through community colleges and institutions of higher learning, with eligible expenses including equipment, tuition assistance, childcare, transportation, and job placement services.

• Establishes Mississippi Nursing Preceptor Grant Program to provide hospitals and long-term care facilities with grants to pay nursing preceptors up to an additional $2.00 per hour premium pay for time spent training Associate Degree of Nursing (ADN) students.

• Creates Mississippi Health Science Training Infrastructure Grant Program to fund health science training infrastructure (facilities and equipment) at community colleges and higher education institutions with nursing schools, with preference given to projects training Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DO).

• Requires Office of Workforce Development to administer all three programs with annual reporting to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee; sets sunset date of July 1, 2026; and ensures all expenditures comply with federal ARPA guidelines and regulations.