Minnesota House Bill HF737

Minnesota 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/23/23
• Refer: 1/23/23

Caption

Loan forgiveness and grants for home care worker education established, reports required, money transferred, and money appropriated.

Impact

The Home Care Worker Grants program allows students enrolled in eligible postsecondary programs leading to degrees to receive financial support. This grant can reach up to $5,000 per year depending on available funds and applicant financial need. The bill outlines specific eligibility criteria, including a prerequisite of work hours as a home care worker before and during the grant eligibility period. This program aims to incentivize and support individuals entering the home care workforce, which is crucial given the increasing demand for home care services.

Summary

House File 737 (HF737) is a proposal aimed at enhancing the support for home care workers in Minnesota through financial assistance mechanisms. The bill establishes two significant programs: the Home Care Worker Grants and the Home Care Worker Loan Forgiveness Program. These initiatives are designed to alleviate the financial burdens of pursuing education for aspiring home care workers and offer loan forgiveness to those already employed in the sector.

Contention

Meanwhile, the Home Care Worker Loan Forgiveness Program aims to provide financial assistance in repaying qualified education loans for individuals who have been employed as home care workers. This program includes specific guidelines regarding verification of eligibility and the application process for potential participants. The inclusion of loan forgiveness serves not only to attract new workers into the field but also to retain current workers by alleviating their student debt, addressing a significant barrier faced by many in this essential vocation.