California 2021-2022 Regular Session

California Assembly Bill AB2522 Compare Versions

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1-Amended IN Senate June 27, 2022 Amended IN Assembly April 20, 2022 Amended IN Assembly March 17, 2022 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20212022 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 2522Introduced by Assembly Member GrayFebruary 17, 2022 An act to add Article 6 (commencing with Section 128560) to Chapter 5 of Part 3 of Division 107 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to public health, and making an appropriation therefor.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 2522, as amended, Gray. Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program.Existing law establishes the Department of Health Care Access and Information. Existing law requires the department to administer various programs, including the California Registered Nurse Education Program, designed to encourage an adequate supply of health professionals.This bill would require the department to develop and administer the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program to provide loan assistance payments to qualifying public health workforce staff. The bill would require the department to commence providing loan assistance payments to individuals as of July 1, 2024. The bill would require the department, in administering the program, to establish various things, including an application process for applicants and eligibility criteria, as specified. The bill would require the department, on or before April 4 each year, to post a report on the program, as specified. The bill would authorize the department to implement, interpret, or make specific those provisions by means of policy letters, provider bulletins, or other similar instructions, without taking regulatory action.This bill would appropriate $90,000,000 from the General Fund to the department to administer and implement those provisions, in accordance with a specified schedule.Digest Key Vote: 2/3 Appropriation: YES Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) COVID-19 introduced a once-in-a-lifetime public health crisis into an already stressed environment with governmental public health agencies leading the response.(b) A public health professional shortage was identified in the 2019 California Workforce Commission report, with at least 200 public health leaders (directors and health officers) having exited the field permanently since this time.(c) Assuring an adequate supply of public health professionals to eliminate critical public health workforce shortages in local, state, and tribal public health agencies is a priority.(d) The public health workforce has a fundamental and complex role as the front line for delivery of basic public health services to all communities.(e) The majority of local health departments provide a wide variety of core services to very diverse communities, including, but not limited to, immunizations, maternal health, communicable disease control, community outreach and education, epidemiology and surveillance, and environmental health regulation, such as food and water safety, with limited resources and too few staff.(f) The public health workforce has an essential role in protecting and promoting the health of all people in all communities, including addressing and ending the COVID-19 pandemic, future and emerging health concerns, and recovery.SEC. 2. Article 6 (commencing with Section 128560) is added to Chapter 5 of Part 3 of Division 107 of the Health and Safety Code, to read: Article 6. Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program128560. For purposes of this article, public health means the promotion of healthy lifestyles, the research of disease and injury prevention, and the detection, prevention, and response to infectious disease.128561. (a) The Department of Health Care Access and Information (department) shall develop and administer the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program to provide loan assistance payments to qualifying public health workforce staff who are work in a California state, local, or tribal public health department as full-time, permanent staff.(b) On or before July 1, 2024, the department shall commence providing loan assistance payments to individuals who meet the eligibility requirements established pursuant to this article.128562. (a) In developing and administering the program, the department shall establish all of the following:(1) (A) An application process for applicants.(B) The application process developed pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall require applicants to agree to work or remain employed full time by a California state, local, or tribal public health department and repay any loan assistance repayments for a failure to comply.(2) Criteria for qualifying student loans.(3) (A) The minimum number of years, not to be lower than three, an awardee receiving payments shall agree to remain employed full time by a state, local, or tribal public health department.(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the department shall reduce the amount of time an awardee is required to remain employed full time by a state, local, or tribal public health department by one year for an awardee who served in a leadership position for COVID-19 response.(4) The maximum amount of the loan repayment award, not to exceed the full cost of outstanding student loans and not to exceed one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000).(5) The repayment schedule for any awardee who does not remain employed full time as required.(6) Eligibility criteria, as specified in Section 128563.(b) If applicants for loan repayment assistance repayments exceed the funding available to the department, the department shall give preference to the following individuals:(1) Until July 1, 2024, those who served in a leadership position for COVID-19 response, as verified in the application process.(2) Those who serve in a designated primary care health professional shortage area.(c) The department may determine the amount and timing of each loan repayment assistance payment.(d)An exercise of discretion by the department and its contractors pursuant to this article is not be subject to judicial review, except that an applicant who is not selected for participation in the program may file for a writ of mandate pursuant to Section 1085 of the Code of Civil Procedure to rectify an abuse of discretion by the department and its contractors.128563. (a) The department shall establish eligibility criteria for selection of an awardee for participation in the program with the dual goals of recruiting and retaining staff in the public health workforce. (b) The department shall establish eligibility criteria for both of the following:(1) Individuals who graduated from an accredited educational institution and received a bachelors, masters, doctoral, or other advanced degree and are employed full time by, or have accepted employment with, a local, state, or tribal public health agency. These individuals shall meet both of the following requirements:(A) Be in good standing with their respective accreditation, certification, or licensing entity, if applicable.(B) Be in good standing with their employer.(2) Individuals who have been accepted for enrollment, or be enrolled, as a student in an accredited academic educational institution in the final year of a course of study or program leading to a bachelors, masters, doctoral, or other advanced degree and have accepted employment with a local, state, or tribal public health agency, to commence upon graduation.128564. (a) The department shall post an annual report on the program on the departments internet website on or before April 4th of each year.(b) The report required pursuant to subdivision (a) shall contain all of the following:(1) The number of applicants.(2) A regional breakdown of applicants.(3) The number of awardees.(4) A regional breakdown of awardees.(5) The amount of total funding awarded.(6) The average award amount.(7) The distribution of awards among various settings and responsibilities.(8) The number of awardees who do not fulfill their service obligation and the amount of funds repaid to the state as a result.128565. (a) The department may implement, interpret, or make specific this article by means of policy letters, provider bulletins, or other similar instructions, without taking regulatory action. The department shall consult with affected stakeholders before taking action pursuant to this subdivision.(b) To implement this article, the department may enter into exclusive or nonexclusive contracts, or amend existing contracts, on a bid or negotiated basis. Costs to administer this program shall not exceed 10 percent of the total program allocation. Contracts entered into or amended pursuant to this subdivision are exempt from Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 14825) of Part 5.5 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, Part 2 (commencing with Section 10100) of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code, and the review or approval of a division of the Department of General Services.SEC. 3. The sum of ninety million dollars ($90,000,000) is hereby appropriated to the Department of Health Care Access and Information to administer and implement Article 6 (commencing with Section 128560) of Chapter 5 of Part 3 of Division 107 of the Health and Safety Code. These funds shall be allocated as follows:(a) Fifty million dollars ($50,000,000) for the 20242025 fiscal year.(b) Forty million dollars ($40,000,000) for the 20252026 fiscal year.
1+Amended IN Assembly April 20, 2022 Amended IN Assembly March 17, 2022 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20212022 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 2522Introduced by Assembly Member GrayFebruary 17, 2022 An act to add Article 6 (commencing with Section 128560) to Chapter 5 of Part 3 of Division 107 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to public health, and making an appropriation therefor.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 2522, as amended, Gray. Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program.Existing law establishes the Department of Health Care Access and Information. Existing law requires the department to administer various programs, including the California Registered Nurse Education Program, designed to encourage an adequate supply of health professionals.This bill would require the department to develop and administer the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program to provide loan assistance payments to qualifying public health workforce staff. The bill would require the department to commence providing loan assistance payments to individuals as of July 1, 2024. The bill would require the department, in administering the program, to establish various things, including an application process for applicants and eligibility criteria, as specified. The bill would require the department, on or before April 4 each year, to post a report on the program, as specified. The bill would authorize the department to implement, interpret, or make specific those provisions by means of policy letters, provider bulletins, or other similar instructions, without taking regulatory action.This bill would appropriate $90,000,000 from the General Fund to the department to administer and implement those provisions, in accordance with a specified schedule.Digest Key Vote: 2/3 Appropriation: YES Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) COVID-19 introduced a once-in-a-lifetime public health crisis into an already stressed environment with governmental public health agencies leading the response.(b) A public health professional shortage was identified in the 2019 California Workforce Commission report, with at least 200 public health leaders (directors and health officers) having exited the field permanently since this time.(c) Assuring an adequate supply of public health professionals to eliminate critical public health workforce shortages in local, state, and tribal public health agencies is a priority.(d) The public health workforce has a fundamental and complex role as the front line for delivery of basic public health services to all communities.(e) The majority of local health departments provide a wide variety of core services to very diverse communities, including, but not limited to, immunizations, maternal health, communicable disease control, community outreach and education, epidemiology and surveillance, and environmental health regulation, such as food and water safety, with limited resources and too few staff.(f) The public health workforce has an essential role in protecting and promoting the health of all people in all communities, including addressing and ending the COVID-19 pandemic, future and emerging health concerns, and recovery.SEC. 2. Article 6 (commencing with Section 128560) is added to Chapter 5 of Part 3 of Division 107 of the Health and Safety Code, to read: Article 6. Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program128560. For purposes of this article, public health means the promotion of healthy lifestyles, the research of disease and injury prevention, and the detection, prevention, and response to infectious disease.128561. (a) The Department of Health Care Access and Information (department) shall develop and administer the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program to provide loan assistance payments to qualifying public health workforce staff who are state, local, or tribal public health department full-time, permanent staff.(b) On or before July 1, 2024, the department shall commence providing loan assistance payments to individuals who meet the eligibility requirements established pursuant to this article.128562. (a) In developing and administering the program, the department shall establish all of the following:(1) (A) An application process for applicants.(B) The application process developed pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall require applicants to agree to work or remain employed full time by a state, local, or tribal public health department and repay any loan assistance repayments for a failure to comply.(2) Criteria for qualifying student loans.(3) (A) The minimum number of years, not to be lower than 3, three, an awardee receiving payments shall agree to remain employed full time by a state, local, or tribal public health department.(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the department shall reduce the amount of time an awardee is required to remain employed full time by a state, local, or tribal public health department by one year for an awardee who served in a leadership position for COVID-19 response.(4) The maximum amount of the loan repayment award, not to exceed the full cost of outstanding student loans and not to exceed one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000).(5) The repayment schedule for any awardee who does not remain employed full time as required.(6) Eligibility criteria, as specified in Section 128563.(b) If applicants for loan repayment assistance repayments exceed the funding available to the department, the department shall give preference to the following individuals:(1) Until July 1, 2024, those who served in a leadership position for COVID-19 response, as verified in the application process.(2) Those who serve in a designated primary care health professional shortage area.(c) The department may determine the amount and timing of each loan repayment assistance payment.(d) An exercise of discretion by the department and its contractors pursuant to this article is not be subject to judicial review, except that an applicant who is not selected for participation in the program may file for a writ of mandate pursuant to Section 1085 of the Code of Civil Procedure to rectify an abuse of discretion by the department and its contractors.128563. (a) The department shall establish eligibility criteria for selection of an awardee for participation in the program with the dual goals of recruiting and retaining staff in the public health workforce. (b) The department shall establish eligibility criteria for both of the following:(1) Individuals who graduated from an accredited educational institution and received a bachelors, masters, doctorate, doctoral, or other advanced degree and are employed full time by, or have accepted employment with, a local, state, or tribal public health agency. These individuals shall meet both of the following requirements:(A) Be in good standing with their respective accreditation, certification, or licensing entity, if applicable.(B) Be in good standing with their employer.(2) Individuals who have been accepted for enrollment, or be enrolled, as a student in an accredited academic educational institution in the final year of a course of study or program leading to a bachelors, masters, doctorate, doctoral, or other advanced degree and have accepted employment with a local, state, or tribal public health agency, to commence upon graduation.128564. (a) The department shall post an annual report on the program on the departments internet website on or before April 4th of each year.(b) The report required pursuant to subdivision (a) shall contain all of the following:(1) The number of applicants.(2) A regional breakdown of applicants.(3) The number of awardees.(4) A regional breakdown of awardees.(5) The amount of total funding awarded.(6) The average award amount.(7) The distribution of awards among various settings and responsibilities.(8) The number of awardees who do not fulfill their service obligation and the amount of funds repaid to the state as a result.128565. (a) The department may implement, interpret, or make specific this article by means of policy letters, provider bulletins, or other similar instructions, without taking regulatory action. The department shall consult with affected stakeholders before taking action pursuant to this subdivision.(b) To implement this article, the department may enter into exclusive or nonexclusive contracts, or amend existing contracts, on a bid or negotiated basis. Costs to administer this program shall not exceed 10 percent of the total program allocation. Contracts entered into or amended pursuant to this subdivision are exempt from Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 14825) of Part 5.5 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, Part 2 (commencing with Section 10100) of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code, and the review or approval of a division of the Department of General Services.SEC. 3. The sum of ninety million dollars ($90,000,000) is hereby appropriated to the Department of Health Care Access and Information to administer and implement Article 6 (commencing with Section 128560) of Chapter 5 of Part 3 of Division 107 of the Health and Safety Code. These funds shall be allocated as follows:(a) Fifty million dollars ($50,000,000) for the 20242025 fiscal year.(b) Forty million dollars ($40,000,000) for the 20252026 fiscal year.
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3- Amended IN Senate June 27, 2022 Amended IN Assembly April 20, 2022 Amended IN Assembly March 17, 2022 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20212022 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 2522Introduced by Assembly Member GrayFebruary 17, 2022 An act to add Article 6 (commencing with Section 128560) to Chapter 5 of Part 3 of Division 107 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to public health, and making an appropriation therefor.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 2522, as amended, Gray. Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program.Existing law establishes the Department of Health Care Access and Information. Existing law requires the department to administer various programs, including the California Registered Nurse Education Program, designed to encourage an adequate supply of health professionals.This bill would require the department to develop and administer the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program to provide loan assistance payments to qualifying public health workforce staff. The bill would require the department to commence providing loan assistance payments to individuals as of July 1, 2024. The bill would require the department, in administering the program, to establish various things, including an application process for applicants and eligibility criteria, as specified. The bill would require the department, on or before April 4 each year, to post a report on the program, as specified. The bill would authorize the department to implement, interpret, or make specific those provisions by means of policy letters, provider bulletins, or other similar instructions, without taking regulatory action.This bill would appropriate $90,000,000 from the General Fund to the department to administer and implement those provisions, in accordance with a specified schedule.Digest Key Vote: 2/3 Appropriation: YES Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO
3+ Amended IN Assembly April 20, 2022 Amended IN Assembly March 17, 2022 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20212022 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 2522Introduced by Assembly Member GrayFebruary 17, 2022 An act to add Article 6 (commencing with Section 128560) to Chapter 5 of Part 3 of Division 107 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to public health, and making an appropriation therefor.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 2522, as amended, Gray. Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program.Existing law establishes the Department of Health Care Access and Information. Existing law requires the department to administer various programs, including the California Registered Nurse Education Program, designed to encourage an adequate supply of health professionals.This bill would require the department to develop and administer the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program to provide loan assistance payments to qualifying public health workforce staff. The bill would require the department to commence providing loan assistance payments to individuals as of July 1, 2024. The bill would require the department, in administering the program, to establish various things, including an application process for applicants and eligibility criteria, as specified. The bill would require the department, on or before April 4 each year, to post a report on the program, as specified. The bill would authorize the department to implement, interpret, or make specific those provisions by means of policy letters, provider bulletins, or other similar instructions, without taking regulatory action.This bill would appropriate $90,000,000 from the General Fund to the department to administer and implement those provisions, in accordance with a specified schedule.Digest Key Vote: 2/3 Appropriation: YES Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO
44
5- Amended IN Senate June 27, 2022 Amended IN Assembly April 20, 2022 Amended IN Assembly March 17, 2022
5+ Amended IN Assembly April 20, 2022 Amended IN Assembly March 17, 2022
66
7-Amended IN Senate June 27, 2022
87 Amended IN Assembly April 20, 2022
98 Amended IN Assembly March 17, 2022
109
1110 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20212022 REGULAR SESSION
1211
1312 Assembly Bill
1413
1514 No. 2522
1615
1716 Introduced by Assembly Member GrayFebruary 17, 2022
1817
1918 Introduced by Assembly Member Gray
2019 February 17, 2022
2120
2221 An act to add Article 6 (commencing with Section 128560) to Chapter 5 of Part 3 of Division 107 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to public health, and making an appropriation therefor.
2322
2423 LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
2524
2625 ## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
2726
2827 AB 2522, as amended, Gray. Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program.
2928
3029 Existing law establishes the Department of Health Care Access and Information. Existing law requires the department to administer various programs, including the California Registered Nurse Education Program, designed to encourage an adequate supply of health professionals.This bill would require the department to develop and administer the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program to provide loan assistance payments to qualifying public health workforce staff. The bill would require the department to commence providing loan assistance payments to individuals as of July 1, 2024. The bill would require the department, in administering the program, to establish various things, including an application process for applicants and eligibility criteria, as specified. The bill would require the department, on or before April 4 each year, to post a report on the program, as specified. The bill would authorize the department to implement, interpret, or make specific those provisions by means of policy letters, provider bulletins, or other similar instructions, without taking regulatory action.This bill would appropriate $90,000,000 from the General Fund to the department to administer and implement those provisions, in accordance with a specified schedule.
3130
3231 Existing law establishes the Department of Health Care Access and Information. Existing law requires the department to administer various programs, including the California Registered Nurse Education Program, designed to encourage an adequate supply of health professionals.
3332
3433 This bill would require the department to develop and administer the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program to provide loan assistance payments to qualifying public health workforce staff. The bill would require the department to commence providing loan assistance payments to individuals as of July 1, 2024. The bill would require the department, in administering the program, to establish various things, including an application process for applicants and eligibility criteria, as specified. The bill would require the department, on or before April 4 each year, to post a report on the program, as specified. The bill would authorize the department to implement, interpret, or make specific those provisions by means of policy letters, provider bulletins, or other similar instructions, without taking regulatory action.
3534
3635 This bill would appropriate $90,000,000 from the General Fund to the department to administer and implement those provisions, in accordance with a specified schedule.
3736
3837 ## Digest Key
3938
4039 ## Bill Text
4140
42-The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) COVID-19 introduced a once-in-a-lifetime public health crisis into an already stressed environment with governmental public health agencies leading the response.(b) A public health professional shortage was identified in the 2019 California Workforce Commission report, with at least 200 public health leaders (directors and health officers) having exited the field permanently since this time.(c) Assuring an adequate supply of public health professionals to eliminate critical public health workforce shortages in local, state, and tribal public health agencies is a priority.(d) The public health workforce has a fundamental and complex role as the front line for delivery of basic public health services to all communities.(e) The majority of local health departments provide a wide variety of core services to very diverse communities, including, but not limited to, immunizations, maternal health, communicable disease control, community outreach and education, epidemiology and surveillance, and environmental health regulation, such as food and water safety, with limited resources and too few staff.(f) The public health workforce has an essential role in protecting and promoting the health of all people in all communities, including addressing and ending the COVID-19 pandemic, future and emerging health concerns, and recovery.SEC. 2. Article 6 (commencing with Section 128560) is added to Chapter 5 of Part 3 of Division 107 of the Health and Safety Code, to read: Article 6. Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program128560. For purposes of this article, public health means the promotion of healthy lifestyles, the research of disease and injury prevention, and the detection, prevention, and response to infectious disease.128561. (a) The Department of Health Care Access and Information (department) shall develop and administer the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program to provide loan assistance payments to qualifying public health workforce staff who are work in a California state, local, or tribal public health department as full-time, permanent staff.(b) On or before July 1, 2024, the department shall commence providing loan assistance payments to individuals who meet the eligibility requirements established pursuant to this article.128562. (a) In developing and administering the program, the department shall establish all of the following:(1) (A) An application process for applicants.(B) The application process developed pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall require applicants to agree to work or remain employed full time by a California state, local, or tribal public health department and repay any loan assistance repayments for a failure to comply.(2) Criteria for qualifying student loans.(3) (A) The minimum number of years, not to be lower than three, an awardee receiving payments shall agree to remain employed full time by a state, local, or tribal public health department.(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the department shall reduce the amount of time an awardee is required to remain employed full time by a state, local, or tribal public health department by one year for an awardee who served in a leadership position for COVID-19 response.(4) The maximum amount of the loan repayment award, not to exceed the full cost of outstanding student loans and not to exceed one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000).(5) The repayment schedule for any awardee who does not remain employed full time as required.(6) Eligibility criteria, as specified in Section 128563.(b) If applicants for loan repayment assistance repayments exceed the funding available to the department, the department shall give preference to the following individuals:(1) Until July 1, 2024, those who served in a leadership position for COVID-19 response, as verified in the application process.(2) Those who serve in a designated primary care health professional shortage area.(c) The department may determine the amount and timing of each loan repayment assistance payment.(d)An exercise of discretion by the department and its contractors pursuant to this article is not be subject to judicial review, except that an applicant who is not selected for participation in the program may file for a writ of mandate pursuant to Section 1085 of the Code of Civil Procedure to rectify an abuse of discretion by the department and its contractors.128563. (a) The department shall establish eligibility criteria for selection of an awardee for participation in the program with the dual goals of recruiting and retaining staff in the public health workforce. (b) The department shall establish eligibility criteria for both of the following:(1) Individuals who graduated from an accredited educational institution and received a bachelors, masters, doctoral, or other advanced degree and are employed full time by, or have accepted employment with, a local, state, or tribal public health agency. These individuals shall meet both of the following requirements:(A) Be in good standing with their respective accreditation, certification, or licensing entity, if applicable.(B) Be in good standing with their employer.(2) Individuals who have been accepted for enrollment, or be enrolled, as a student in an accredited academic educational institution in the final year of a course of study or program leading to a bachelors, masters, doctoral, or other advanced degree and have accepted employment with a local, state, or tribal public health agency, to commence upon graduation.128564. (a) The department shall post an annual report on the program on the departments internet website on or before April 4th of each year.(b) The report required pursuant to subdivision (a) shall contain all of the following:(1) The number of applicants.(2) A regional breakdown of applicants.(3) The number of awardees.(4) A regional breakdown of awardees.(5) The amount of total funding awarded.(6) The average award amount.(7) The distribution of awards among various settings and responsibilities.(8) The number of awardees who do not fulfill their service obligation and the amount of funds repaid to the state as a result.128565. (a) The department may implement, interpret, or make specific this article by means of policy letters, provider bulletins, or other similar instructions, without taking regulatory action. The department shall consult with affected stakeholders before taking action pursuant to this subdivision.(b) To implement this article, the department may enter into exclusive or nonexclusive contracts, or amend existing contracts, on a bid or negotiated basis. Costs to administer this program shall not exceed 10 percent of the total program allocation. Contracts entered into or amended pursuant to this subdivision are exempt from Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 14825) of Part 5.5 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, Part 2 (commencing with Section 10100) of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code, and the review or approval of a division of the Department of General Services.SEC. 3. The sum of ninety million dollars ($90,000,000) is hereby appropriated to the Department of Health Care Access and Information to administer and implement Article 6 (commencing with Section 128560) of Chapter 5 of Part 3 of Division 107 of the Health and Safety Code. These funds shall be allocated as follows:(a) Fifty million dollars ($50,000,000) for the 20242025 fiscal year.(b) Forty million dollars ($40,000,000) for the 20252026 fiscal year.
41+The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) COVID-19 introduced a once-in-a-lifetime public health crisis into an already stressed environment with governmental public health agencies leading the response.(b) A public health professional shortage was identified in the 2019 California Workforce Commission report, with at least 200 public health leaders (directors and health officers) having exited the field permanently since this time.(c) Assuring an adequate supply of public health professionals to eliminate critical public health workforce shortages in local, state, and tribal public health agencies is a priority.(d) The public health workforce has a fundamental and complex role as the front line for delivery of basic public health services to all communities.(e) The majority of local health departments provide a wide variety of core services to very diverse communities, including, but not limited to, immunizations, maternal health, communicable disease control, community outreach and education, epidemiology and surveillance, and environmental health regulation, such as food and water safety, with limited resources and too few staff.(f) The public health workforce has an essential role in protecting and promoting the health of all people in all communities, including addressing and ending the COVID-19 pandemic, future and emerging health concerns, and recovery.SEC. 2. Article 6 (commencing with Section 128560) is added to Chapter 5 of Part 3 of Division 107 of the Health and Safety Code, to read: Article 6. Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program128560. For purposes of this article, public health means the promotion of healthy lifestyles, the research of disease and injury prevention, and the detection, prevention, and response to infectious disease.128561. (a) The Department of Health Care Access and Information (department) shall develop and administer the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program to provide loan assistance payments to qualifying public health workforce staff who are state, local, or tribal public health department full-time, permanent staff.(b) On or before July 1, 2024, the department shall commence providing loan assistance payments to individuals who meet the eligibility requirements established pursuant to this article.128562. (a) In developing and administering the program, the department shall establish all of the following:(1) (A) An application process for applicants.(B) The application process developed pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall require applicants to agree to work or remain employed full time by a state, local, or tribal public health department and repay any loan assistance repayments for a failure to comply.(2) Criteria for qualifying student loans.(3) (A) The minimum number of years, not to be lower than 3, three, an awardee receiving payments shall agree to remain employed full time by a state, local, or tribal public health department.(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the department shall reduce the amount of time an awardee is required to remain employed full time by a state, local, or tribal public health department by one year for an awardee who served in a leadership position for COVID-19 response.(4) The maximum amount of the loan repayment award, not to exceed the full cost of outstanding student loans and not to exceed one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000).(5) The repayment schedule for any awardee who does not remain employed full time as required.(6) Eligibility criteria, as specified in Section 128563.(b) If applicants for loan repayment assistance repayments exceed the funding available to the department, the department shall give preference to the following individuals:(1) Until July 1, 2024, those who served in a leadership position for COVID-19 response, as verified in the application process.(2) Those who serve in a designated primary care health professional shortage area.(c) The department may determine the amount and timing of each loan repayment assistance payment.(d) An exercise of discretion by the department and its contractors pursuant to this article is not be subject to judicial review, except that an applicant who is not selected for participation in the program may file for a writ of mandate pursuant to Section 1085 of the Code of Civil Procedure to rectify an abuse of discretion by the department and its contractors.128563. (a) The department shall establish eligibility criteria for selection of an awardee for participation in the program with the dual goals of recruiting and retaining staff in the public health workforce. (b) The department shall establish eligibility criteria for both of the following:(1) Individuals who graduated from an accredited educational institution and received a bachelors, masters, doctorate, doctoral, or other advanced degree and are employed full time by, or have accepted employment with, a local, state, or tribal public health agency. These individuals shall meet both of the following requirements:(A) Be in good standing with their respective accreditation, certification, or licensing entity, if applicable.(B) Be in good standing with their employer.(2) Individuals who have been accepted for enrollment, or be enrolled, as a student in an accredited academic educational institution in the final year of a course of study or program leading to a bachelors, masters, doctorate, doctoral, or other advanced degree and have accepted employment with a local, state, or tribal public health agency, to commence upon graduation.128564. (a) The department shall post an annual report on the program on the departments internet website on or before April 4th of each year.(b) The report required pursuant to subdivision (a) shall contain all of the following:(1) The number of applicants.(2) A regional breakdown of applicants.(3) The number of awardees.(4) A regional breakdown of awardees.(5) The amount of total funding awarded.(6) The average award amount.(7) The distribution of awards among various settings and responsibilities.(8) The number of awardees who do not fulfill their service obligation and the amount of funds repaid to the state as a result.128565. (a) The department may implement, interpret, or make specific this article by means of policy letters, provider bulletins, or other similar instructions, without taking regulatory action. The department shall consult with affected stakeholders before taking action pursuant to this subdivision.(b) To implement this article, the department may enter into exclusive or nonexclusive contracts, or amend existing contracts, on a bid or negotiated basis. Costs to administer this program shall not exceed 10 percent of the total program allocation. Contracts entered into or amended pursuant to this subdivision are exempt from Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 14825) of Part 5.5 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, Part 2 (commencing with Section 10100) of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code, and the review or approval of a division of the Department of General Services.SEC. 3. The sum of ninety million dollars ($90,000,000) is hereby appropriated to the Department of Health Care Access and Information to administer and implement Article 6 (commencing with Section 128560) of Chapter 5 of Part 3 of Division 107 of the Health and Safety Code. These funds shall be allocated as follows:(a) Fifty million dollars ($50,000,000) for the 20242025 fiscal year.(b) Forty million dollars ($40,000,000) for the 20252026 fiscal year.
4342
4443 The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
4544
4645 ## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
4746
4847 SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) COVID-19 introduced a once-in-a-lifetime public health crisis into an already stressed environment with governmental public health agencies leading the response.(b) A public health professional shortage was identified in the 2019 California Workforce Commission report, with at least 200 public health leaders (directors and health officers) having exited the field permanently since this time.(c) Assuring an adequate supply of public health professionals to eliminate critical public health workforce shortages in local, state, and tribal public health agencies is a priority.(d) The public health workforce has a fundamental and complex role as the front line for delivery of basic public health services to all communities.(e) The majority of local health departments provide a wide variety of core services to very diverse communities, including, but not limited to, immunizations, maternal health, communicable disease control, community outreach and education, epidemiology and surveillance, and environmental health regulation, such as food and water safety, with limited resources and too few staff.(f) The public health workforce has an essential role in protecting and promoting the health of all people in all communities, including addressing and ending the COVID-19 pandemic, future and emerging health concerns, and recovery.
4948
5049 SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) COVID-19 introduced a once-in-a-lifetime public health crisis into an already stressed environment with governmental public health agencies leading the response.(b) A public health professional shortage was identified in the 2019 California Workforce Commission report, with at least 200 public health leaders (directors and health officers) having exited the field permanently since this time.(c) Assuring an adequate supply of public health professionals to eliminate critical public health workforce shortages in local, state, and tribal public health agencies is a priority.(d) The public health workforce has a fundamental and complex role as the front line for delivery of basic public health services to all communities.(e) The majority of local health departments provide a wide variety of core services to very diverse communities, including, but not limited to, immunizations, maternal health, communicable disease control, community outreach and education, epidemiology and surveillance, and environmental health regulation, such as food and water safety, with limited resources and too few staff.(f) The public health workforce has an essential role in protecting and promoting the health of all people in all communities, including addressing and ending the COVID-19 pandemic, future and emerging health concerns, and recovery.
5150
5251 SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
5352
5453 ### SECTION 1.
5554
5655 (a) COVID-19 introduced a once-in-a-lifetime public health crisis into an already stressed environment with governmental public health agencies leading the response.
5756
5857 (b) A public health professional shortage was identified in the 2019 California Workforce Commission report, with at least 200 public health leaders (directors and health officers) having exited the field permanently since this time.
5958
6059 (c) Assuring an adequate supply of public health professionals to eliminate critical public health workforce shortages in local, state, and tribal public health agencies is a priority.
6160
6261 (d) The public health workforce has a fundamental and complex role as the front line for delivery of basic public health services to all communities.
6362
6463 (e) The majority of local health departments provide a wide variety of core services to very diverse communities, including, but not limited to, immunizations, maternal health, communicable disease control, community outreach and education, epidemiology and surveillance, and environmental health regulation, such as food and water safety, with limited resources and too few staff.
6564
6665 (f) The public health workforce has an essential role in protecting and promoting the health of all people in all communities, including addressing and ending the COVID-19 pandemic, future and emerging health concerns, and recovery.
6766
68-SEC. 2. Article 6 (commencing with Section 128560) is added to Chapter 5 of Part 3 of Division 107 of the Health and Safety Code, to read: Article 6. Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program128560. For purposes of this article, public health means the promotion of healthy lifestyles, the research of disease and injury prevention, and the detection, prevention, and response to infectious disease.128561. (a) The Department of Health Care Access and Information (department) shall develop and administer the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program to provide loan assistance payments to qualifying public health workforce staff who are work in a California state, local, or tribal public health department as full-time, permanent staff.(b) On or before July 1, 2024, the department shall commence providing loan assistance payments to individuals who meet the eligibility requirements established pursuant to this article.128562. (a) In developing and administering the program, the department shall establish all of the following:(1) (A) An application process for applicants.(B) The application process developed pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall require applicants to agree to work or remain employed full time by a California state, local, or tribal public health department and repay any loan assistance repayments for a failure to comply.(2) Criteria for qualifying student loans.(3) (A) The minimum number of years, not to be lower than three, an awardee receiving payments shall agree to remain employed full time by a state, local, or tribal public health department.(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the department shall reduce the amount of time an awardee is required to remain employed full time by a state, local, or tribal public health department by one year for an awardee who served in a leadership position for COVID-19 response.(4) The maximum amount of the loan repayment award, not to exceed the full cost of outstanding student loans and not to exceed one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000).(5) The repayment schedule for any awardee who does not remain employed full time as required.(6) Eligibility criteria, as specified in Section 128563.(b) If applicants for loan repayment assistance repayments exceed the funding available to the department, the department shall give preference to the following individuals:(1) Until July 1, 2024, those who served in a leadership position for COVID-19 response, as verified in the application process.(2) Those who serve in a designated primary care health professional shortage area.(c) The department may determine the amount and timing of each loan repayment assistance payment.(d)An exercise of discretion by the department and its contractors pursuant to this article is not be subject to judicial review, except that an applicant who is not selected for participation in the program may file for a writ of mandate pursuant to Section 1085 of the Code of Civil Procedure to rectify an abuse of discretion by the department and its contractors.128563. (a) The department shall establish eligibility criteria for selection of an awardee for participation in the program with the dual goals of recruiting and retaining staff in the public health workforce. (b) The department shall establish eligibility criteria for both of the following:(1) Individuals who graduated from an accredited educational institution and received a bachelors, masters, doctoral, or other advanced degree and are employed full time by, or have accepted employment with, a local, state, or tribal public health agency. These individuals shall meet both of the following requirements:(A) Be in good standing with their respective accreditation, certification, or licensing entity, if applicable.(B) Be in good standing with their employer.(2) Individuals who have been accepted for enrollment, or be enrolled, as a student in an accredited academic educational institution in the final year of a course of study or program leading to a bachelors, masters, doctoral, or other advanced degree and have accepted employment with a local, state, or tribal public health agency, to commence upon graduation.128564. (a) The department shall post an annual report on the program on the departments internet website on or before April 4th of each year.(b) The report required pursuant to subdivision (a) shall contain all of the following:(1) The number of applicants.(2) A regional breakdown of applicants.(3) The number of awardees.(4) A regional breakdown of awardees.(5) The amount of total funding awarded.(6) The average award amount.(7) The distribution of awards among various settings and responsibilities.(8) The number of awardees who do not fulfill their service obligation and the amount of funds repaid to the state as a result.128565. (a) The department may implement, interpret, or make specific this article by means of policy letters, provider bulletins, or other similar instructions, without taking regulatory action. The department shall consult with affected stakeholders before taking action pursuant to this subdivision.(b) To implement this article, the department may enter into exclusive or nonexclusive contracts, or amend existing contracts, on a bid or negotiated basis. Costs to administer this program shall not exceed 10 percent of the total program allocation. Contracts entered into or amended pursuant to this subdivision are exempt from Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 14825) of Part 5.5 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, Part 2 (commencing with Section 10100) of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code, and the review or approval of a division of the Department of General Services.
67+SEC. 2. Article 6 (commencing with Section 128560) is added to Chapter 5 of Part 3 of Division 107 of the Health and Safety Code, to read: Article 6. Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program128560. For purposes of this article, public health means the promotion of healthy lifestyles, the research of disease and injury prevention, and the detection, prevention, and response to infectious disease.128561. (a) The Department of Health Care Access and Information (department) shall develop and administer the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program to provide loan assistance payments to qualifying public health workforce staff who are state, local, or tribal public health department full-time, permanent staff.(b) On or before July 1, 2024, the department shall commence providing loan assistance payments to individuals who meet the eligibility requirements established pursuant to this article.128562. (a) In developing and administering the program, the department shall establish all of the following:(1) (A) An application process for applicants.(B) The application process developed pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall require applicants to agree to work or remain employed full time by a state, local, or tribal public health department and repay any loan assistance repayments for a failure to comply.(2) Criteria for qualifying student loans.(3) (A) The minimum number of years, not to be lower than 3, three, an awardee receiving payments shall agree to remain employed full time by a state, local, or tribal public health department.(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the department shall reduce the amount of time an awardee is required to remain employed full time by a state, local, or tribal public health department by one year for an awardee who served in a leadership position for COVID-19 response.(4) The maximum amount of the loan repayment award, not to exceed the full cost of outstanding student loans and not to exceed one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000).(5) The repayment schedule for any awardee who does not remain employed full time as required.(6) Eligibility criteria, as specified in Section 128563.(b) If applicants for loan repayment assistance repayments exceed the funding available to the department, the department shall give preference to the following individuals:(1) Until July 1, 2024, those who served in a leadership position for COVID-19 response, as verified in the application process.(2) Those who serve in a designated primary care health professional shortage area.(c) The department may determine the amount and timing of each loan repayment assistance payment.(d) An exercise of discretion by the department and its contractors pursuant to this article is not be subject to judicial review, except that an applicant who is not selected for participation in the program may file for a writ of mandate pursuant to Section 1085 of the Code of Civil Procedure to rectify an abuse of discretion by the department and its contractors.128563. (a) The department shall establish eligibility criteria for selection of an awardee for participation in the program with the dual goals of recruiting and retaining staff in the public health workforce. (b) The department shall establish eligibility criteria for both of the following:(1) Individuals who graduated from an accredited educational institution and received a bachelors, masters, doctorate, doctoral, or other advanced degree and are employed full time by, or have accepted employment with, a local, state, or tribal public health agency. These individuals shall meet both of the following requirements:(A) Be in good standing with their respective accreditation, certification, or licensing entity, if applicable.(B) Be in good standing with their employer.(2) Individuals who have been accepted for enrollment, or be enrolled, as a student in an accredited academic educational institution in the final year of a course of study or program leading to a bachelors, masters, doctorate, doctoral, or other advanced degree and have accepted employment with a local, state, or tribal public health agency, to commence upon graduation.128564. (a) The department shall post an annual report on the program on the departments internet website on or before April 4th of each year.(b) The report required pursuant to subdivision (a) shall contain all of the following:(1) The number of applicants.(2) A regional breakdown of applicants.(3) The number of awardees.(4) A regional breakdown of awardees.(5) The amount of total funding awarded.(6) The average award amount.(7) The distribution of awards among various settings and responsibilities.(8) The number of awardees who do not fulfill their service obligation and the amount of funds repaid to the state as a result.128565. (a) The department may implement, interpret, or make specific this article by means of policy letters, provider bulletins, or other similar instructions, without taking regulatory action. The department shall consult with affected stakeholders before taking action pursuant to this subdivision.(b) To implement this article, the department may enter into exclusive or nonexclusive contracts, or amend existing contracts, on a bid or negotiated basis. Costs to administer this program shall not exceed 10 percent of the total program allocation. Contracts entered into or amended pursuant to this subdivision are exempt from Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 14825) of Part 5.5 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, Part 2 (commencing with Section 10100) of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code, and the review or approval of a division of the Department of General Services.
6968
7069 SEC. 2. Article 6 (commencing with Section 128560) is added to Chapter 5 of Part 3 of Division 107 of the Health and Safety Code, to read:
7170
7271 ### SEC. 2.
7372
74- Article 6. Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program128560. For purposes of this article, public health means the promotion of healthy lifestyles, the research of disease and injury prevention, and the detection, prevention, and response to infectious disease.128561. (a) The Department of Health Care Access and Information (department) shall develop and administer the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program to provide loan assistance payments to qualifying public health workforce staff who are work in a California state, local, or tribal public health department as full-time, permanent staff.(b) On or before July 1, 2024, the department shall commence providing loan assistance payments to individuals who meet the eligibility requirements established pursuant to this article.128562. (a) In developing and administering the program, the department shall establish all of the following:(1) (A) An application process for applicants.(B) The application process developed pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall require applicants to agree to work or remain employed full time by a California state, local, or tribal public health department and repay any loan assistance repayments for a failure to comply.(2) Criteria for qualifying student loans.(3) (A) The minimum number of years, not to be lower than three, an awardee receiving payments shall agree to remain employed full time by a state, local, or tribal public health department.(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the department shall reduce the amount of time an awardee is required to remain employed full time by a state, local, or tribal public health department by one year for an awardee who served in a leadership position for COVID-19 response.(4) The maximum amount of the loan repayment award, not to exceed the full cost of outstanding student loans and not to exceed one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000).(5) The repayment schedule for any awardee who does not remain employed full time as required.(6) Eligibility criteria, as specified in Section 128563.(b) If applicants for loan repayment assistance repayments exceed the funding available to the department, the department shall give preference to the following individuals:(1) Until July 1, 2024, those who served in a leadership position for COVID-19 response, as verified in the application process.(2) Those who serve in a designated primary care health professional shortage area.(c) The department may determine the amount and timing of each loan repayment assistance payment.(d)An exercise of discretion by the department and its contractors pursuant to this article is not be subject to judicial review, except that an applicant who is not selected for participation in the program may file for a writ of mandate pursuant to Section 1085 of the Code of Civil Procedure to rectify an abuse of discretion by the department and its contractors.128563. (a) The department shall establish eligibility criteria for selection of an awardee for participation in the program with the dual goals of recruiting and retaining staff in the public health workforce. (b) The department shall establish eligibility criteria for both of the following:(1) Individuals who graduated from an accredited educational institution and received a bachelors, masters, doctoral, or other advanced degree and are employed full time by, or have accepted employment with, a local, state, or tribal public health agency. These individuals shall meet both of the following requirements:(A) Be in good standing with their respective accreditation, certification, or licensing entity, if applicable.(B) Be in good standing with their employer.(2) Individuals who have been accepted for enrollment, or be enrolled, as a student in an accredited academic educational institution in the final year of a course of study or program leading to a bachelors, masters, doctoral, or other advanced degree and have accepted employment with a local, state, or tribal public health agency, to commence upon graduation.128564. (a) The department shall post an annual report on the program on the departments internet website on or before April 4th of each year.(b) The report required pursuant to subdivision (a) shall contain all of the following:(1) The number of applicants.(2) A regional breakdown of applicants.(3) The number of awardees.(4) A regional breakdown of awardees.(5) The amount of total funding awarded.(6) The average award amount.(7) The distribution of awards among various settings and responsibilities.(8) The number of awardees who do not fulfill their service obligation and the amount of funds repaid to the state as a result.128565. (a) The department may implement, interpret, or make specific this article by means of policy letters, provider bulletins, or other similar instructions, without taking regulatory action. The department shall consult with affected stakeholders before taking action pursuant to this subdivision.(b) To implement this article, the department may enter into exclusive or nonexclusive contracts, or amend existing contracts, on a bid or negotiated basis. Costs to administer this program shall not exceed 10 percent of the total program allocation. Contracts entered into or amended pursuant to this subdivision are exempt from Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 14825) of Part 5.5 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, Part 2 (commencing with Section 10100) of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code, and the review or approval of a division of the Department of General Services.
73+ Article 6. Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program128560. For purposes of this article, public health means the promotion of healthy lifestyles, the research of disease and injury prevention, and the detection, prevention, and response to infectious disease.128561. (a) The Department of Health Care Access and Information (department) shall develop and administer the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program to provide loan assistance payments to qualifying public health workforce staff who are state, local, or tribal public health department full-time, permanent staff.(b) On or before July 1, 2024, the department shall commence providing loan assistance payments to individuals who meet the eligibility requirements established pursuant to this article.128562. (a) In developing and administering the program, the department shall establish all of the following:(1) (A) An application process for applicants.(B) The application process developed pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall require applicants to agree to work or remain employed full time by a state, local, or tribal public health department and repay any loan assistance repayments for a failure to comply.(2) Criteria for qualifying student loans.(3) (A) The minimum number of years, not to be lower than 3, three, an awardee receiving payments shall agree to remain employed full time by a state, local, or tribal public health department.(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the department shall reduce the amount of time an awardee is required to remain employed full time by a state, local, or tribal public health department by one year for an awardee who served in a leadership position for COVID-19 response.(4) The maximum amount of the loan repayment award, not to exceed the full cost of outstanding student loans and not to exceed one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000).(5) The repayment schedule for any awardee who does not remain employed full time as required.(6) Eligibility criteria, as specified in Section 128563.(b) If applicants for loan repayment assistance repayments exceed the funding available to the department, the department shall give preference to the following individuals:(1) Until July 1, 2024, those who served in a leadership position for COVID-19 response, as verified in the application process.(2) Those who serve in a designated primary care health professional shortage area.(c) The department may determine the amount and timing of each loan repayment assistance payment.(d) An exercise of discretion by the department and its contractors pursuant to this article is not be subject to judicial review, except that an applicant who is not selected for participation in the program may file for a writ of mandate pursuant to Section 1085 of the Code of Civil Procedure to rectify an abuse of discretion by the department and its contractors.128563. (a) The department shall establish eligibility criteria for selection of an awardee for participation in the program with the dual goals of recruiting and retaining staff in the public health workforce. (b) The department shall establish eligibility criteria for both of the following:(1) Individuals who graduated from an accredited educational institution and received a bachelors, masters, doctorate, doctoral, or other advanced degree and are employed full time by, or have accepted employment with, a local, state, or tribal public health agency. These individuals shall meet both of the following requirements:(A) Be in good standing with their respective accreditation, certification, or licensing entity, if applicable.(B) Be in good standing with their employer.(2) Individuals who have been accepted for enrollment, or be enrolled, as a student in an accredited academic educational institution in the final year of a course of study or program leading to a bachelors, masters, doctorate, doctoral, or other advanced degree and have accepted employment with a local, state, or tribal public health agency, to commence upon graduation.128564. (a) The department shall post an annual report on the program on the departments internet website on or before April 4th of each year.(b) The report required pursuant to subdivision (a) shall contain all of the following:(1) The number of applicants.(2) A regional breakdown of applicants.(3) The number of awardees.(4) A regional breakdown of awardees.(5) The amount of total funding awarded.(6) The average award amount.(7) The distribution of awards among various settings and responsibilities.(8) The number of awardees who do not fulfill their service obligation and the amount of funds repaid to the state as a result.128565. (a) The department may implement, interpret, or make specific this article by means of policy letters, provider bulletins, or other similar instructions, without taking regulatory action. The department shall consult with affected stakeholders before taking action pursuant to this subdivision.(b) To implement this article, the department may enter into exclusive or nonexclusive contracts, or amend existing contracts, on a bid or negotiated basis. Costs to administer this program shall not exceed 10 percent of the total program allocation. Contracts entered into or amended pursuant to this subdivision are exempt from Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 14825) of Part 5.5 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, Part 2 (commencing with Section 10100) of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code, and the review or approval of a division of the Department of General Services.
7574
76- Article 6. Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program128560. For purposes of this article, public health means the promotion of healthy lifestyles, the research of disease and injury prevention, and the detection, prevention, and response to infectious disease.128561. (a) The Department of Health Care Access and Information (department) shall develop and administer the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program to provide loan assistance payments to qualifying public health workforce staff who are work in a California state, local, or tribal public health department as full-time, permanent staff.(b) On or before July 1, 2024, the department shall commence providing loan assistance payments to individuals who meet the eligibility requirements established pursuant to this article.128562. (a) In developing and administering the program, the department shall establish all of the following:(1) (A) An application process for applicants.(B) The application process developed pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall require applicants to agree to work or remain employed full time by a California state, local, or tribal public health department and repay any loan assistance repayments for a failure to comply.(2) Criteria for qualifying student loans.(3) (A) The minimum number of years, not to be lower than three, an awardee receiving payments shall agree to remain employed full time by a state, local, or tribal public health department.(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the department shall reduce the amount of time an awardee is required to remain employed full time by a state, local, or tribal public health department by one year for an awardee who served in a leadership position for COVID-19 response.(4) The maximum amount of the loan repayment award, not to exceed the full cost of outstanding student loans and not to exceed one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000).(5) The repayment schedule for any awardee who does not remain employed full time as required.(6) Eligibility criteria, as specified in Section 128563.(b) If applicants for loan repayment assistance repayments exceed the funding available to the department, the department shall give preference to the following individuals:(1) Until July 1, 2024, those who served in a leadership position for COVID-19 response, as verified in the application process.(2) Those who serve in a designated primary care health professional shortage area.(c) The department may determine the amount and timing of each loan repayment assistance payment.(d)An exercise of discretion by the department and its contractors pursuant to this article is not be subject to judicial review, except that an applicant who is not selected for participation in the program may file for a writ of mandate pursuant to Section 1085 of the Code of Civil Procedure to rectify an abuse of discretion by the department and its contractors.128563. (a) The department shall establish eligibility criteria for selection of an awardee for participation in the program with the dual goals of recruiting and retaining staff in the public health workforce. (b) The department shall establish eligibility criteria for both of the following:(1) Individuals who graduated from an accredited educational institution and received a bachelors, masters, doctoral, or other advanced degree and are employed full time by, or have accepted employment with, a local, state, or tribal public health agency. These individuals shall meet both of the following requirements:(A) Be in good standing with their respective accreditation, certification, or licensing entity, if applicable.(B) Be in good standing with their employer.(2) Individuals who have been accepted for enrollment, or be enrolled, as a student in an accredited academic educational institution in the final year of a course of study or program leading to a bachelors, masters, doctoral, or other advanced degree and have accepted employment with a local, state, or tribal public health agency, to commence upon graduation.128564. (a) The department shall post an annual report on the program on the departments internet website on or before April 4th of each year.(b) The report required pursuant to subdivision (a) shall contain all of the following:(1) The number of applicants.(2) A regional breakdown of applicants.(3) The number of awardees.(4) A regional breakdown of awardees.(5) The amount of total funding awarded.(6) The average award amount.(7) The distribution of awards among various settings and responsibilities.(8) The number of awardees who do not fulfill their service obligation and the amount of funds repaid to the state as a result.128565. (a) The department may implement, interpret, or make specific this article by means of policy letters, provider bulletins, or other similar instructions, without taking regulatory action. The department shall consult with affected stakeholders before taking action pursuant to this subdivision.(b) To implement this article, the department may enter into exclusive or nonexclusive contracts, or amend existing contracts, on a bid or negotiated basis. Costs to administer this program shall not exceed 10 percent of the total program allocation. Contracts entered into or amended pursuant to this subdivision are exempt from Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 14825) of Part 5.5 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, Part 2 (commencing with Section 10100) of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code, and the review or approval of a division of the Department of General Services.
75+ Article 6. Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program128560. For purposes of this article, public health means the promotion of healthy lifestyles, the research of disease and injury prevention, and the detection, prevention, and response to infectious disease.128561. (a) The Department of Health Care Access and Information (department) shall develop and administer the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program to provide loan assistance payments to qualifying public health workforce staff who are state, local, or tribal public health department full-time, permanent staff.(b) On or before July 1, 2024, the department shall commence providing loan assistance payments to individuals who meet the eligibility requirements established pursuant to this article.128562. (a) In developing and administering the program, the department shall establish all of the following:(1) (A) An application process for applicants.(B) The application process developed pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall require applicants to agree to work or remain employed full time by a state, local, or tribal public health department and repay any loan assistance repayments for a failure to comply.(2) Criteria for qualifying student loans.(3) (A) The minimum number of years, not to be lower than 3, three, an awardee receiving payments shall agree to remain employed full time by a state, local, or tribal public health department.(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the department shall reduce the amount of time an awardee is required to remain employed full time by a state, local, or tribal public health department by one year for an awardee who served in a leadership position for COVID-19 response.(4) The maximum amount of the loan repayment award, not to exceed the full cost of outstanding student loans and not to exceed one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000).(5) The repayment schedule for any awardee who does not remain employed full time as required.(6) Eligibility criteria, as specified in Section 128563.(b) If applicants for loan repayment assistance repayments exceed the funding available to the department, the department shall give preference to the following individuals:(1) Until July 1, 2024, those who served in a leadership position for COVID-19 response, as verified in the application process.(2) Those who serve in a designated primary care health professional shortage area.(c) The department may determine the amount and timing of each loan repayment assistance payment.(d) An exercise of discretion by the department and its contractors pursuant to this article is not be subject to judicial review, except that an applicant who is not selected for participation in the program may file for a writ of mandate pursuant to Section 1085 of the Code of Civil Procedure to rectify an abuse of discretion by the department and its contractors.128563. (a) The department shall establish eligibility criteria for selection of an awardee for participation in the program with the dual goals of recruiting and retaining staff in the public health workforce. (b) The department shall establish eligibility criteria for both of the following:(1) Individuals who graduated from an accredited educational institution and received a bachelors, masters, doctorate, doctoral, or other advanced degree and are employed full time by, or have accepted employment with, a local, state, or tribal public health agency. These individuals shall meet both of the following requirements:(A) Be in good standing with their respective accreditation, certification, or licensing entity, if applicable.(B) Be in good standing with their employer.(2) Individuals who have been accepted for enrollment, or be enrolled, as a student in an accredited academic educational institution in the final year of a course of study or program leading to a bachelors, masters, doctorate, doctoral, or other advanced degree and have accepted employment with a local, state, or tribal public health agency, to commence upon graduation.128564. (a) The department shall post an annual report on the program on the departments internet website on or before April 4th of each year.(b) The report required pursuant to subdivision (a) shall contain all of the following:(1) The number of applicants.(2) A regional breakdown of applicants.(3) The number of awardees.(4) A regional breakdown of awardees.(5) The amount of total funding awarded.(6) The average award amount.(7) The distribution of awards among various settings and responsibilities.(8) The number of awardees who do not fulfill their service obligation and the amount of funds repaid to the state as a result.128565. (a) The department may implement, interpret, or make specific this article by means of policy letters, provider bulletins, or other similar instructions, without taking regulatory action. The department shall consult with affected stakeholders before taking action pursuant to this subdivision.(b) To implement this article, the department may enter into exclusive or nonexclusive contracts, or amend existing contracts, on a bid or negotiated basis. Costs to administer this program shall not exceed 10 percent of the total program allocation. Contracts entered into or amended pursuant to this subdivision are exempt from Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 14825) of Part 5.5 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, Part 2 (commencing with Section 10100) of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code, and the review or approval of a division of the Department of General Services.
7776
7877 Article 6. Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program
7978
8079 Article 6. Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program
8180
8281 128560. For purposes of this article, public health means the promotion of healthy lifestyles, the research of disease and injury prevention, and the detection, prevention, and response to infectious disease.
8382
8483
8584
8685 128560. For purposes of this article, public health means the promotion of healthy lifestyles, the research of disease and injury prevention, and the detection, prevention, and response to infectious disease.
8786
88-128561. (a) The Department of Health Care Access and Information (department) shall develop and administer the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program to provide loan assistance payments to qualifying public health workforce staff who are work in a California state, local, or tribal public health department as full-time, permanent staff.(b) On or before July 1, 2024, the department shall commence providing loan assistance payments to individuals who meet the eligibility requirements established pursuant to this article.
87+128561. (a) The Department of Health Care Access and Information (department) shall develop and administer the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program to provide loan assistance payments to qualifying public health workforce staff who are state, local, or tribal public health department full-time, permanent staff.(b) On or before July 1, 2024, the department shall commence providing loan assistance payments to individuals who meet the eligibility requirements established pursuant to this article.
8988
9089
9190
92-128561. (a) The Department of Health Care Access and Information (department) shall develop and administer the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program to provide loan assistance payments to qualifying public health workforce staff who are work in a California state, local, or tribal public health department as full-time, permanent staff.
91+128561. (a) The Department of Health Care Access and Information (department) shall develop and administer the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program to provide loan assistance payments to qualifying public health workforce staff who are state, local, or tribal public health department full-time, permanent staff.
9392
9493 (b) On or before July 1, 2024, the department shall commence providing loan assistance payments to individuals who meet the eligibility requirements established pursuant to this article.
9594
96-128562. (a) In developing and administering the program, the department shall establish all of the following:(1) (A) An application process for applicants.(B) The application process developed pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall require applicants to agree to work or remain employed full time by a California state, local, or tribal public health department and repay any loan assistance repayments for a failure to comply.(2) Criteria for qualifying student loans.(3) (A) The minimum number of years, not to be lower than three, an awardee receiving payments shall agree to remain employed full time by a state, local, or tribal public health department.(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the department shall reduce the amount of time an awardee is required to remain employed full time by a state, local, or tribal public health department by one year for an awardee who served in a leadership position for COVID-19 response.(4) The maximum amount of the loan repayment award, not to exceed the full cost of outstanding student loans and not to exceed one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000).(5) The repayment schedule for any awardee who does not remain employed full time as required.(6) Eligibility criteria, as specified in Section 128563.(b) If applicants for loan repayment assistance repayments exceed the funding available to the department, the department shall give preference to the following individuals:(1) Until July 1, 2024, those who served in a leadership position for COVID-19 response, as verified in the application process.(2) Those who serve in a designated primary care health professional shortage area.(c) The department may determine the amount and timing of each loan repayment assistance payment.(d)An exercise of discretion by the department and its contractors pursuant to this article is not be subject to judicial review, except that an applicant who is not selected for participation in the program may file for a writ of mandate pursuant to Section 1085 of the Code of Civil Procedure to rectify an abuse of discretion by the department and its contractors.
95+128562. (a) In developing and administering the program, the department shall establish all of the following:(1) (A) An application process for applicants.(B) The application process developed pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall require applicants to agree to work or remain employed full time by a state, local, or tribal public health department and repay any loan assistance repayments for a failure to comply.(2) Criteria for qualifying student loans.(3) (A) The minimum number of years, not to be lower than 3, three, an awardee receiving payments shall agree to remain employed full time by a state, local, or tribal public health department.(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the department shall reduce the amount of time an awardee is required to remain employed full time by a state, local, or tribal public health department by one year for an awardee who served in a leadership position for COVID-19 response.(4) The maximum amount of the loan repayment award, not to exceed the full cost of outstanding student loans and not to exceed one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000).(5) The repayment schedule for any awardee who does not remain employed full time as required.(6) Eligibility criteria, as specified in Section 128563.(b) If applicants for loan repayment assistance repayments exceed the funding available to the department, the department shall give preference to the following individuals:(1) Until July 1, 2024, those who served in a leadership position for COVID-19 response, as verified in the application process.(2) Those who serve in a designated primary care health professional shortage area.(c) The department may determine the amount and timing of each loan repayment assistance payment.(d) An exercise of discretion by the department and its contractors pursuant to this article is not be subject to judicial review, except that an applicant who is not selected for participation in the program may file for a writ of mandate pursuant to Section 1085 of the Code of Civil Procedure to rectify an abuse of discretion by the department and its contractors.
9796
9897
9998
10099 128562. (a) In developing and administering the program, the department shall establish all of the following:
101100
102101 (1) (A) An application process for applicants.
103102
104-(B) The application process developed pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall require applicants to agree to work or remain employed full time by a California state, local, or tribal public health department and repay any loan assistance repayments for a failure to comply.
103+(B) The application process developed pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall require applicants to agree to work or remain employed full time by a state, local, or tribal public health department and repay any loan assistance repayments for a failure to comply.
105104
106105 (2) Criteria for qualifying student loans.
107106
108-(3) (A) The minimum number of years, not to be lower than three, an awardee receiving payments shall agree to remain employed full time by a state, local, or tribal public health department.
107+(3) (A) The minimum number of years, not to be lower than 3, three, an awardee receiving payments shall agree to remain employed full time by a state, local, or tribal public health department.
109108
110109 (B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the department shall reduce the amount of time an awardee is required to remain employed full time by a state, local, or tribal public health department by one year for an awardee who served in a leadership position for COVID-19 response.
111110
112111 (4) The maximum amount of the loan repayment award, not to exceed the full cost of outstanding student loans and not to exceed one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000).
113112
114113 (5) The repayment schedule for any awardee who does not remain employed full time as required.
115114
116115 (6) Eligibility criteria, as specified in Section 128563.
117116
118117 (b) If applicants for loan repayment assistance repayments exceed the funding available to the department, the department shall give preference to the following individuals:
119118
120119 (1) Until July 1, 2024, those who served in a leadership position for COVID-19 response, as verified in the application process.
121120
122121 (2) Those who serve in a designated primary care health professional shortage area.
123122
124123 (c) The department may determine the amount and timing of each loan repayment assistance payment.
125124
126125 (d) An exercise of discretion by the department and its contractors pursuant to this article is not be subject to judicial review, except that an applicant who is not selected for participation in the program may file for a writ of mandate pursuant to Section 1085 of the Code of Civil Procedure to rectify an abuse of discretion by the department and its contractors.
127126
128-
129-
130-128563. (a) The department shall establish eligibility criteria for selection of an awardee for participation in the program with the dual goals of recruiting and retaining staff in the public health workforce. (b) The department shall establish eligibility criteria for both of the following:(1) Individuals who graduated from an accredited educational institution and received a bachelors, masters, doctoral, or other advanced degree and are employed full time by, or have accepted employment with, a local, state, or tribal public health agency. These individuals shall meet both of the following requirements:(A) Be in good standing with their respective accreditation, certification, or licensing entity, if applicable.(B) Be in good standing with their employer.(2) Individuals who have been accepted for enrollment, or be enrolled, as a student in an accredited academic educational institution in the final year of a course of study or program leading to a bachelors, masters, doctoral, or other advanced degree and have accepted employment with a local, state, or tribal public health agency, to commence upon graduation.
127+128563. (a) The department shall establish eligibility criteria for selection of an awardee for participation in the program with the dual goals of recruiting and retaining staff in the public health workforce. (b) The department shall establish eligibility criteria for both of the following:(1) Individuals who graduated from an accredited educational institution and received a bachelors, masters, doctorate, doctoral, or other advanced degree and are employed full time by, or have accepted employment with, a local, state, or tribal public health agency. These individuals shall meet both of the following requirements:(A) Be in good standing with their respective accreditation, certification, or licensing entity, if applicable.(B) Be in good standing with their employer.(2) Individuals who have been accepted for enrollment, or be enrolled, as a student in an accredited academic educational institution in the final year of a course of study or program leading to a bachelors, masters, doctorate, doctoral, or other advanced degree and have accepted employment with a local, state, or tribal public health agency, to commence upon graduation.
131128
132129
133130
134131 128563. (a) The department shall establish eligibility criteria for selection of an awardee for participation in the program with the dual goals of recruiting and retaining staff in the public health workforce.
135132
136133 (b) The department shall establish eligibility criteria for both of the following:
137134
138-(1) Individuals who graduated from an accredited educational institution and received a bachelors, masters, doctoral, or other advanced degree and are employed full time by, or have accepted employment with, a local, state, or tribal public health agency. These individuals shall meet both of the following requirements:
135+(1) Individuals who graduated from an accredited educational institution and received a bachelors, masters, doctorate, doctoral, or other advanced degree and are employed full time by, or have accepted employment with, a local, state, or tribal public health agency. These individuals shall meet both of the following requirements:
139136
140137 (A) Be in good standing with their respective accreditation, certification, or licensing entity, if applicable.
141138
142139 (B) Be in good standing with their employer.
143140
144-(2) Individuals who have been accepted for enrollment, or be enrolled, as a student in an accredited academic educational institution in the final year of a course of study or program leading to a bachelors, masters, doctoral, or other advanced degree and have accepted employment with a local, state, or tribal public health agency, to commence upon graduation.
141+(2) Individuals who have been accepted for enrollment, or be enrolled, as a student in an accredited academic educational institution in the final year of a course of study or program leading to a bachelors, masters, doctorate, doctoral, or other advanced degree and have accepted employment with a local, state, or tribal public health agency, to commence upon graduation.
145142
146143 128564. (a) The department shall post an annual report on the program on the departments internet website on or before April 4th of each year.(b) The report required pursuant to subdivision (a) shall contain all of the following:(1) The number of applicants.(2) A regional breakdown of applicants.(3) The number of awardees.(4) A regional breakdown of awardees.(5) The amount of total funding awarded.(6) The average award amount.(7) The distribution of awards among various settings and responsibilities.(8) The number of awardees who do not fulfill their service obligation and the amount of funds repaid to the state as a result.
147144
148145
149146
150147 128564. (a) The department shall post an annual report on the program on the departments internet website on or before April 4th of each year.
151148
152149 (b) The report required pursuant to subdivision (a) shall contain all of the following:
153150
154151 (1) The number of applicants.
155152
156153 (2) A regional breakdown of applicants.
157154
158155 (3) The number of awardees.
159156
160157 (4) A regional breakdown of awardees.
161158
162159 (5) The amount of total funding awarded.
163160
164161 (6) The average award amount.
165162
166163 (7) The distribution of awards among various settings and responsibilities.
167164
168165 (8) The number of awardees who do not fulfill their service obligation and the amount of funds repaid to the state as a result.
169166
170167 128565. (a) The department may implement, interpret, or make specific this article by means of policy letters, provider bulletins, or other similar instructions, without taking regulatory action. The department shall consult with affected stakeholders before taking action pursuant to this subdivision.(b) To implement this article, the department may enter into exclusive or nonexclusive contracts, or amend existing contracts, on a bid or negotiated basis. Costs to administer this program shall not exceed 10 percent of the total program allocation. Contracts entered into or amended pursuant to this subdivision are exempt from Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 14825) of Part 5.5 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, Part 2 (commencing with Section 10100) of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code, and the review or approval of a division of the Department of General Services.
171168
172169
173170
174171 128565. (a) The department may implement, interpret, or make specific this article by means of policy letters, provider bulletins, or other similar instructions, without taking regulatory action. The department shall consult with affected stakeholders before taking action pursuant to this subdivision.
175172
176173 (b) To implement this article, the department may enter into exclusive or nonexclusive contracts, or amend existing contracts, on a bid or negotiated basis. Costs to administer this program shall not exceed 10 percent of the total program allocation. Contracts entered into or amended pursuant to this subdivision are exempt from Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 14825) of Part 5.5 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, Part 2 (commencing with Section 10100) of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code, and the review or approval of a division of the Department of General Services.
177174
178175 SEC. 3. The sum of ninety million dollars ($90,000,000) is hereby appropriated to the Department of Health Care Access and Information to administer and implement Article 6 (commencing with Section 128560) of Chapter 5 of Part 3 of Division 107 of the Health and Safety Code. These funds shall be allocated as follows:(a) Fifty million dollars ($50,000,000) for the 20242025 fiscal year.(b) Forty million dollars ($40,000,000) for the 20252026 fiscal year.
179176
180177 SEC. 3. The sum of ninety million dollars ($90,000,000) is hereby appropriated to the Department of Health Care Access and Information to administer and implement Article 6 (commencing with Section 128560) of Chapter 5 of Part 3 of Division 107 of the Health and Safety Code. These funds shall be allocated as follows:(a) Fifty million dollars ($50,000,000) for the 20242025 fiscal year.(b) Forty million dollars ($40,000,000) for the 20252026 fiscal year.
181178
182179 SEC. 3. The sum of ninety million dollars ($90,000,000) is hereby appropriated to the Department of Health Care Access and Information to administer and implement Article 6 (commencing with Section 128560) of Chapter 5 of Part 3 of Division 107 of the Health and Safety Code. These funds shall be allocated as follows:
183180
184181 ### SEC. 3.
185182
186183 (a) Fifty million dollars ($50,000,000) for the 20242025 fiscal year.
187184
188185 (b) Forty million dollars ($40,000,000) for the 20252026 fiscal year.