HLS 24RS-935 ORIGINAL
2024 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 615
BY REPRESENTATIVE STAGNI
HEALTH CARE/PROVIDERS: Provides for the dedication and use of the Health Care
Employment Reinvestment Opportunity (H.E.R.O.) Fund
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact 17:3050.11(C)(1), relative to certain treasury funds; to provide
3 relative to the Health Care Employment Reinvestment Opportunity (H.E.R.O.) Fund;
4 to provide for use of the monies in the fund; to provide for plans and procedures for
5 programs developed in conjunction with the use of monies in the fund; to provide for
6 an effective date; and to provide for related matters.
7Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
8 Section 1. R.S. 17:3050.11(C)(1) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as
9follows:
10 ยง3050.11. Health Care Employment Reinvestment Opportunity (H.E.R.O.)
11 Fund
12 * * *
13 C.(1) Subject to legislative appropriation and the approval of the Board of
14 Regents, the Louisiana Health Works Commission is hereby authorized and directed
15 to determine how monies in the fund are allocated and expended through a
16 multi-year plan, solely and exclusively for the following purposes and in the
17 following priorities:
18 (a) Meet the current and growing employment demands for nursing and
19 allied health professionals by increasing the capacity of nursing and allied health
20 training programs through doctors of medicine, doctors of osteopathy, physician
Page 1 of 3
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 24RS-935 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 615
1 assistants, and advanced practice registered nurses in designated health professional
2 shortage areas, referred to in this Section as "HPSA", by supporting initiatives such
3 as increasing faculty positions and the number of clinical preceptors in nursing and
4 allied health schools. schools of medicine and nursing.
5 (b) Support the nursing and allied health professions doctors of medicine,
6 doctors of osteopathy, physician assistants, and advanced practice registered nurses
7 by providing incentives that financially support student financial stipends and tuition
8 forgiveness contingent upon employment in Louisiana healthcare facilities or nursing
9 or allied health schools.
10 (c) Provide incentives for nursing and allied healthcare professionals doctors
11 of medicine, doctors of osteopathy, physician assistants, and advanced practice
12 registered nurses to practice in Louisiana with an emphasis on HPSA and medically
13 underserved areas of the state.
14 * * *
15 Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not
16signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature
17by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If
18vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become
19effective on the day following such approval.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 615 Original 2024 Regular Session Stagni
Abstract: Provides for initiatives and incentives to increase the number of medical health
professionals in underserved areas of the state.
Present law provides for the creation of the Health Care Employment Reinvestment
Opportunity (H.E.R.O) Fund.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law provides for the Louisiana Health Works Commission to develop a plan to
utilize monies in the fund to increase the capacity of nursing and allied health training
programs, to provide financial stipends and tuition forgiveness to students in these fields,
Page 2 of 3
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 24RS-935 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 615
and provide incentives for nursing and allied health professionals to practice in Louisiana
with an emphasis on underserved areas of the state.
Proposed law changes the professions to incentivize with stipends and tuition forgiveness
from nursing and allied health professionals to doctors of medicine, doctors of osteopathy,
physician assistants, and advanced practice registered nurses in designated health
professional shortage areas.
Effective upon governor's signature or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends 17:3050.11(C)(1))
Page 3 of 3
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.