LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 675
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Chapter 675
(House Bill 1208)
AN ACT concerning
Health Occupations – Health Care Workforce Expansion
FOR the purpose of establishing requirements on the State Board of Nursing related to the
expansion of the workforce in nursing–related fields; establishing a State income tax
credit for certain licensed practical nurses, nurse practitioners advanced practice
registered nurses, and registered nurses; establishing the Licensed Practical Nurse
and Registered Nurse Preceptorship Tax Credit Fund as a special, nonlapsing fund;
requiring the Maryland Department of Health to work with the Division of
Workforce Development and Adult Learning in the Maryland Department of Labor
to convene a stakeholder workgroup to study expanding the State apprenticeship
programs to the health care workforce; requiring the Maryland Department of
Health to convene a workgroup to study how the State can implement a certain loan
repayment assistance program; and generally relating to expansion of the health
care workforce in the State.
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article – Health Occupations
Section 8–205, 8–312(c), and 8–6A–05(b) 8–6A–05(a) and (b)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2021 Replacement Volume)
BY adding to
Article – Health Occupations
Section 8–205.2 and 8–514 8–6A–14(g)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2021 Replacement Volume)
BY adding to
Article – Tax – General
Section 10–739.1
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2016 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement)
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:
Article – Health Occupations
8–205.
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(a) In addition to the powers and duties set forth elsewhere in this title, the Board
has the following powers and duties:
(1) To adopt rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this title;
(2) To set standards for the practice of registered nursing, advanced
practice registered nursing, licensed practical nursing, certified nursing assistants,
certified medication technicians, electrology, direct–entry midwifery, and certified
midwifery;
(3) To adopt rules and regulations for the performance of delegated medical
functions that are recognized jointly by the State Board of Physicians and the State Board
of Nursing, under § 14–306(d) of this article;
(4) To adopt rules and regulations for the performance of additional
nursing acts that:
(i) May be performed under any condition authorized by the Board,
including emergencies; and
(ii) Require education and clinical experience;
(5) To adopt rules and regulations for registered nurses to perform
independent nursing functions that:
(i) Require formal education and clinical experience; and
(ii) May be performed under any condition authorized by the Board,
including emergencies;
(6) To adopt rules and regulations for licensed practical nurses to perform
additional acts in the practice of registered nursing that:
(i) Require formal education and clinical experience;
(ii) May be performed under any condition authorized by the Board,
including emergencies; and
(iii) Are recognized by the Nursing Board as proper for licensed
practical nurses to perform;
(7) TO ADOPT RULES AND RE GULATIONS FOR CLINIC AL EXTERN
CERTIFICATES AUTHORI ZED UNDER § 8–514 OF THIS TITLE;
[(7)] (8) To keep a record of its proceedings;
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[(8)] (9) To submit to the Governor, the Secretary, and, in accordance
with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly, an annual report
that includes [the]:
(I) THE following data calculated on a fiscal year basis:
[(i)] 1. The number of initial and renewal licenses and certificates
issued;
[(ii)] 2. The number of positive and negative criminal history
records checks results received;
[(iii)] 3. The number of individuals denied initial or renewal
licensure or certification due to positive criminal history records checks results;
[(iv)] 4. The number of individuals denied licensure or certification
due to reasons other than a positive criminal history records check;
[(v)] 5. The number of new complaints received;
[(vi)] 6. The number of complaints carried over from year to year;
[(vii)] 7. The most common grounds for complaints; and
[(viii)] 8. The number and types of disciplinary actions taken
by the Board; AND
(II) BY ANALYZING INFORMAT ION GATHERED FROM RENEWAL
APPLICATIONS SUBMITT ED UNDER § 8–312 OF THIS TITLE, AN EVALUATION OF THE
STATE’S NURSING WORKFORCE BY CERTIFICATION LEV EL, REGION, AND TYPE OF
WORKPLACE , INCLUDING HOSPITALS AND HOME HEALTH WORK ERS;
[(9)] (10) To enforce the employment record requirements of this title;
[(10)] (11) To keep separate lists, which lists are open to reasonable public
inspection, of all:
(i) Registered nurses licensed under this title;
(ii) Licensed practical nurses licensed under this title;
(iii) Nurse midwives certified under this title;
(iv) Nurse practitioners certified under this title;
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(v) Nurse anesthetists certified under this title;
(vi) Clinical nurse specialists certified under this title;
(vii) Certified medication technicians certified under this title;
(viii) Electrologists licensed under this title;
(ix) Direct–entry midwives licensed under this title;
(x) Certified midwives licensed under this title; and
(xi) Other licensees with a nursing specialty that is certified under
this title;
[(11)] (12) To collect any funds of the Board;
[(12)] (13) To report any alleged violation of this title to the State’s Attorney
of the county where the alleged violation occurred;
[(13)] (14) In accordance with the State budget, to incur any necessary
expense for prosecution of an alleged violation of this title;
[(14)] (15) On receipt of a written and signed complaint, including a referral
from the Commissioner of Labor and Industry, conduct an unannounced inspection of the
office of a nurse in independent practice, other than an office of a nurse in independent
practice in a hospital, related institution, freestanding medical facility, or a freestanding
birthing center, to determine compliance at that office with the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention’s guidelines on universal precautions;
[(15)] (16) To maintain a nurse aide registry that complies with federal law;
[(16)] (17) To appoint standing and ad hoc committees from among Board
members as necessary; and
[(17)] (18) To delegate to the executive director of the Board the authority
to discharge Board duties deemed appropriate and necessary by the Board and to hold the
executive director accountable to the Board.
(b) With regard to any list kept by the Board under subsection [(a)(10)] (A)(11)
of this section, upon written request from an individual licensee the Board shall delete that
individual’s name from any licensee list purchased from the Board.
(c) (1) The Board is the only unit of the Department that is responsible for
adopting rules and regulations to determine: LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 675
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(i) Individuals to whom any act of the practice of registered nursing
and licensed practical nursing may be delegated; and
(ii) The acts that may be delegated safely.
(2) The Department shall retain its authority to require training for
nonlicensed patient care personnel under § 19–308.1 of the Health – General Article.
8–205.2.
THE BOARD SHALL:
(1) CREATE AND IMPLEMENT A MARKETING PLA N TO ATTRACT
INDIVIDUALS TO SEEK LICENSURE AND CERTIF ICATION UNDER THIS T ITLE; AND
(2) CREATE AND MAINTAIN O N ITS PUBLICLY ACCES SIBLE WEBSITE A
SINGLE LOCATION THAT HAS INFORMATION FOR INDIVIDUALS SEEKING LICENSURE
OR CERTIFICATION UND ER THIS TITLE ON:
(I) PATHWAYS TO LICENSURE OR CERTIFICATION ;
(II) FUNDING AND FINANCING OPTIONS TO PAY FOR R EQUIRED
EDUCATION AND TRAINI NG; AND
(III) ACCREDITED SCHOOLS AN D TRAINING PROGRAMS .
8–312.
(c) Before a license expires, the licensee periodically may renew it for an
additional term, if the licensee:
(1) Otherwise is entitled to be licensed;
(2) Pays to the Board:
(i) A renewal fee set by the Board; or
(ii) A renewal fee that is set by the Board if the licensee certifies to
the Board that the licensee provides professional services only as a volunteer; and
(3) Submits to the Board by paper application or electronic means:
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(i) A renewal application on the form that the Board requires THAT
INCLUDES WORKFORCE D ATA INFORMATION NECE SSARY FOR THE REPORT
REQUIRED UNDER § 8–205(A) OF THIS TITLE; and
(ii) Satisfactory evidence of completion of:
1. 1,000 hours of active nursing practice within the 5–year
period immediately preceding the date of renewal;
2. A course of instruction, commonly known as a refresher
course, approved by the Board;
3. A preceptorship program provided by an employer and
approved by the Board; or
4. A minimum number of continuing education units as
required by regulations adopted by the Board.
8–514.
(A) IN THIS SECTION , “CLINICAL EXTERN ” MEANS A STUDENT AT A N
ACCREDITED SCHOOL OF NURSING APPROVED BY THE BOARD WHO HAS BEEN
CERTIFIED BY THE BOARD TO AUGMENT THE HEALTH SERVICES WORK FORCE.
(B) THE BOARD SHALL ISSUE A C LINICAL EXTERN CERTIFICATE TO A
NURSING STUDENT WHO :
(1) SUBMITS TO THE BOARD:
(I) AN APPLICATION ON THE FORM REQUIRED BY THE BOARD;
AND
(II) A SUPERVISOR AGREEMENT SIGNED BY THE APPLIC ANT’S
PROPOSED LICENSEE SU PERVISOR;
(2) HAS MET THE EDUCATION AL CRITERIA ESTABLISHED BY THE
BOARD; AND
(3) MEETS ANY OTHER CRITE RIA ESTABLISHED BY T HE BOARD FOR
CERTIFICATION AS A C LINICAL EXTERN .
(C) A CLINICAL EXTERN MAY :
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(1) PRACTICE AT A HOSPITA L OR AUXILIARY TREAT MENT SITE
APPROVED BY THE BOARD;
(2) PERFORM HEALTH CARE SERVICES APPROVED BY THE BOARD
ONLY UNDER THE DIREC T SUPERVISION OF THE LICENSEE SUPERVISOR APPROVED
BY THE BOARD; AND
(3) PROVIDE HEALTH CARE S ERVICES IN ACCORDANC E WITH THE
CLINICAL EXTERN ’S TRAINING AND TO TH E EXTENT OF THE CLIN ICAL EXTERN’S
COMPETENCY AS DETERM INED BY THE CLINICAL EXTERN’S LICENSEE SUPERVISO R.
(D) THE BOARD SHALL ADOPT REG ULATIONS NECESSARY T O CARRY OUT
THIS SECTION.
8–6A–05.
(a) The Board shall adopt regulations establishing:
(1) Categories of certified nursing assistants, including geriatric nursing
assistants, home health aides, school health aides, dialysis technicians, individuals
working in developmental disabilities administration facilities, and medicine aides;
(2) Qualifications for each category of certified nursing assistant;
(3) Qualifications for certified medication technicians; [and]
(4) Standards for qualification of applicants for certification, including the
applicant’s criminal history, work record, and prohibitions against behavior which may be
potentially harmful to patients; AND
(5) STANDARDS FOR THE ONL INE PROVISION OF ALL ASPECTS OF
DIDACTIC INSTRUCTION IN A NURSING ASSISTANT TRAINING PROGRAM THA T MEETS
THE REQUIREMENTS EST ABLISHED BY THE BOARD.
(b) (1) To qualify for certification as a nursing assistant, a nursing assistant
in a specific category, or a medication technician, an applicant shall meet the requirements
set by the Board.
(2) REQUIREMENTS SET BY T HE BOARD UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF
THIS SUBSECTION REGA RDING QUALIFICATIONS FOR CE RTIFICATION AS A
GERIATRIC NURSING ASSISTANT SH ALL INCLUDE PROVISIO NS TO ALLOW AN
INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS B EEN PRACTICING AS A TEMPORARY NURSING ASSISTANT
WITHOUT CERTIFICATIO N BY THE BOARD, IN ACCORDANCE WITH T HE WAIVER OF
THE REQUIREMENTS OF 42 C.F.R. § 483.35(D) ISSUED BY THE CENTERS FOR
MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES ON MARCH 6, 2020, TO APPLY ON–THE–JOB Ch. 675 2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND
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EXPERIENCE AS A NURS ING ASSISTANT TOWARD THE TOTAL NUMBER OF TRAINING
HOURS REQUIRED FOR C ERTIFICATION AS A GERIATRIC NURSI NG ASSISTANT.
8–6A–14.
(G) THE BOARD SHALL APPROVE T HE USE OF A NURSING ASSISTANT
TRAINING SITE BY A N URSING ASSISTANT TRA INING PROGRAM WITHIN 14 45 DAYS
AFTER THE NURSING AS SISTANT TRAINING PRO GRAM APPLIES FOR APP ROVAL IF
THE NURSING ASSISTAN T TRAINING PROGRAM H AD PREVIOUSLY BEEN APPR OVED
TO USE THE TRAINING SITE BY THE BOARD.
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland read
as follows:
Article – Tax – General
10–739.1.
(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE F OLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS
INDICATED.
(2) “ADVANCED PRACTICE REG ISTERED NURSE ” HAS THE SAME
MEANING STATED IN § 8–101 OF THE HEALTH OCCUPATIONS ARTICLE.
(3) “DEPARTMENT ” MEANS THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH.
(3) (4) “LICENSED PRACTICAL NU RSE” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED
IN § 8–101 OF THE HEALTH OCCUPATIONS ARTICLE.
(4) “NURSE PRACTITIONER ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 8–101
OF THE HEALTH OCCUPATIONS ARTICLE.
(5) “PRECEPTORSHIP PROGRAM ” MEANS AN ORGANIZED S YSTEM OF
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE THAT, FOR THE PURPOSE OF A TTAINING SPE CIFIED
LEARNING OBJECTIVES , PAIRS A LICENSED PRA CTICAL NURSE OR REGI STERED
NURSE STUDENT ENROLL ED IN A NURSING EDUC ATION PROGRAM THAT I S
RECOGNIZED BY THE STATE BOARD OF NURSING WITH A LICENS ED PRACTICAL
NURSE, NURSE PRACTITIONER ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE , OR
REGISTERED NURSE WHO MEETS THE QUALIFICAT IONS AS A PRECEPTOR .
(6) “REGISTERED NURSE ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 8–101 OF
THE HEALTH OCCUPATIONS ARTICLE.
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(B) (1) SUBJECT TO THE LIMITA TIONS OF THIS SECTIO N, A LICENSED
PRACTICAL NUR SE, NURSE PRACTITIONER ADVANCED PRACTICE RE GISTERED
NURSE, OR REGISTERED NURSE MAY CLAIM A CREDIT A GAINST THE STATE INCOME
TAX IN THE AMOUNT ST ATED ON THE TAX CRED IT CERTIFICATE ISSUE D UNDER
SUBSECTION (C) OF THIS SECTION FOR THE TAXABLE YEAR IN WHICH THE LICENSED
PRACTICAL NURSE , NURSE PRACTITIONER ADVANCED PRACTICE RE GISTERED
NURSE, OR REGISTERED NURSE SERVED WITHOUT COMPE NSATION AS A PRECEPT OR
IN A PRECEPTORSHIP P ROGRAM APPROVED BY T HE STATE BOARD OF NURSING AND
WORKED:
(I) A MINIMUM OF THREE R OTATIONS, EACH CONSISTING OF A T
LEAST 100 HOURS OF COMMUNITY –BASED CLINICAL TRAIN ING; AND
(II) IN AN AREA OF THE STATE IDENTIFIED AS H AVING A
HEALTH CARE WORKFORC E SHORTAGE BY THE DEPARTMENT , IN CONSULTATION
WITH THE GOVERNOR’S WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD.
(2) (I) THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF T HE CREDIT ALLOWED UN DER THIS
SECTION FOR ANY TAXA BLE YEAR MAY NOT EXC EED THE STATE INCOME TAX
IMPOSED FOR THAT TAX ABLE YEAR.
(II) ANY UNUSED AMOUNT OF THE CREDIT FOR ANY T AXABLE
YEAR MAY NOT BE CARR IED OVER TO ANY OTHE R TAXABLE YEAR .
(C) (1) ON APPLICATION BY A L ICENSED PRACTICAL NU RSE, NURSE
PRACTITIONER ADVANCED PRACTICE RE GISTERED NURSE , OR REGISTERED NURSE ,
THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ISSU E A CREDIT CERTIFICA TE IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,000
FOR EACH STUDENT ROT ATION OF THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF HOURS REQU IRED
UNDER SUBSECTION (B)(1)(I) OF THIS SECTION FOR WHICH THE LICENSED
PRACTICAL NURSE , NURSE PRACTI TIONER ADVANCED PRACTICE RE GISTERED
NURSE, OR REGISTERED NURSE SERVED AS A PRECEPTO R WITHOUT
COMPENSATION .
(2) THE APPLICATION SHALL CONTAIN:
(I) THE NAME OF THE APPL ICANT;
(II) INFORMATION IDENTIFY ING THE PRECEPTORSHI P IN
WHICH THE APPLICANT PARTICIPATED;
(III) THE NUMBER AND NAMES OF THE STUDENTS FOR WHOM
THE INDIVIDUAL SERVE D AS A PRECEPTOR WIT HOUT COMPENSATION ; AND
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(IV) ANY OTHER INFORMATIO N THAT THE DEPARTMENT
REQUIRES.
(3) FOR ANY TAXABLE YEAR , THE AMOUNT OF TAX CR EDIT STATED IN
THE TAX CREDIT CERTI FICATE MAY NOT EXCEE D $10,000.
(4) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL :
(I) APPROVE ALL APPLICAT IONS THAT QUALIFY FO R A TAX
CREDIT CERTIFICATE U NDER THIS SUBSECTION ON A FIRST–COME, FIRST–SERVED
BASIS; AND
(II) NOTIFY A TAXPAYER WI THIN 45 DAYS OF RECEIPT OF TH E
TAXPAYER’S APPLICATION OF ITS APPROVAL OR DENIAL .
(5) (I) FOR EACH TAXABLE YEAR , THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF TAX
CREDIT CERTIFICATES THAT MAY BE ISSUED B Y THE DEPARTMENT UNDER THIS
SECTION MAY NOT EXCE ED THE LESSER OF :
1. THE TOTAL FUNDS IN THE LICENSED PRACTICAL
NURSE AND REGISTERED NURSE PRECEPTORSHIP TAX CREDIT FUND FOR THAT
YEAR; OR
2. $100,000.
(II) IF THE AGGREGATE AMOU NT OF TAX CREDIT CER TIFICATES
ISSUED UNDER THIS SE CTION DURING A TAXAB LE YEAR TOTALS LESS THAN THE
AMOUNT AUTHORIZED UNDE R THIS PARAGRAPH , ANY EXCESS AMOUNT MA Y BE
ISSUED UNDER TAX CRE DIT CERTIFICATES IN THE NEXT TAXABLE YEA R.
(D) (1) IN THIS SECTION , “FUND” MEANS THE LICENSED PRACTICAL
NURSE AND REGISTERED NURSE PRECEPTORSHIP TAX CREDIT FUND
ESTABLISHE D UNDER PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION .
(2) THERE IS A LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE AND REGISTERED
NURSE PRECEPTORSHIP TAX CREDIT FUND.
(3) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADMI NISTER THE FUND.
(4) THE PURPOSE OF THE FUND IS TO OFFSET THE COSTS OF THE TAX
CREDIT AVAILABLE UNDER TH IS SECTION.
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(5) THE FUND IS A SPECIAL , NONLAPSING FUND THAT IS NOT
SUBJECT TO § 7–302 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE.
(6) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL HOLD THE FUND SEPARATELY ,
AND THE COMPTROLLER SHALL ACC OUNT FOR THE FUND.
(7) THE FUND CONSISTS OF :
(I) FEDERAL FUNDING PROV IDED UNDER:
1. THE FEDERAL CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF, AND
ECONOMIC SECURITY ACT;
2. THE FEDERAL CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS
ACT, 2021; OR
3. ANY OTHER FEDERAL COVID–19 PANDEMIC R ELIEF
FUNDING;
(II) MONEY APPROPRIATED I N THE STATE BUDGET TO THE
FUND; AND
(III) ANY OTHER MONEY FROM ANY OTHER SOURCE ACC EPTED
FOR THE BENEFIT OF T HE FUND.
(8) THE MONEY IN THE FUND SHALL BE INVESTE D AND REINVESTED
BY THE STATE TREASURER, AND INTEREST AND EARNING S SHALL BE CREDITED TO
THE GENERAL FUND OF THE STATE.
(9) (I) EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE P ROVIDED IN THIS PARA GRAPH,
MONEY CREDITED OR AP PROPRIATED TO THE FUND SHALL REMAIN IN THE FUND.
(II) 1. WITHIN 15 DAYS AFTER THE END O F EACH CALENDAR
QUARTER, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL NOTI FY THE COMPTROLLER AS TO EAC H
CREDIT CERTIFICATE I SSUED DURING THE QUA RTER.
2. ON NOTIFICATION THAT A CREDIT CERTIFICATE HAS
BEEN ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT , THE COMPTROLLER SHALL TRA NSFER AN
AMOUNT EQUAL TO TH E CREDIT AMOUNT STAT ED IN THE TAX CREDIT CERTIFICATE
FROM THE FUND TO THE GENERAL FUND OF THE STATE.
(E) ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 31 EACH TAXABLE YEAR , THE DEPARTMENT
SHALL:
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(1) REPORT TO THE COMPTROLLER ON THE TA X CREDIT
CERTIFICATES ISSUED UNDER THIS SE CTION DURING THE PRI OR TAXABLE YEAR ;
AND
(2) REPORT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, IN ACCORDANCE WITH §
2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, ON THE UTILIZATION O F THE
CREDIT ESTABLISHED U NDER THIS SECTION .
(F) THE DEPARTMENT , IN CONSULTATION WITH THE GOVERNOR’S
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD, SHALL ADOPT REGULATI ONS TO CARRY OUT
THE PROVISIONS OF TH IS SECTION, INCLUDING THE CRITER IA AND PROCEDURES
FOR APPLICATION FOR , APPROVAL OF, AND MONITORING ELIGI BILITY FOR THE TAX
CREDIT AUTHORIZED UN DER THIS SECTION .
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That:
(a) The Maryland Department of Health shall work with the Division of
Workforce Development and Adult Learning in the Maryland Department of Labor to
convene a stakeholder workgroup to:
(1) study expanding the State apprenticeship programs to the health care
workforce; and
(2) make recommendations on:
(i) health care fields that could be best served by introducing a
health care apprenticeship program, including health–related fields that do not require
licensure or certification under the Health Occupations Article;
(ii) options to provide incentives to experienced health care
practitioners to work with health care apprentices;
(iii) safeguards needed to ensure the safety of the public when
receiving health care services from health care apprentices; and
(iv) funding needed to support a health care apprenticeship program;
and
(v) nomenclature to describe apprenticeship programs for health
care apprentices.
(b) On or before December 1, 2022, the Maryland Department of Health shall
report the findings and recommendations of the workgroup to the Senate Education,
Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee and the House Health and Government
Operations Committee, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article. LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 675
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SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That:
(a) The Maryland Department of Health shall convene a stakeholder workgroup
to examine how the State can implement a loan repayment assistance program for nurses
and other health practitioners regulated by the State Board of Nursing to further
incentivize the health practitioners to practice in professional shortage areas and medically
underserved areas in the State.
(b) The workgroup shall consist of the following members:
(1) the Secretary of Health, or the Secretary’s designee;
(2) one representative of the State Board of Nursing, designated by the
Executive Director of the Board;
(3) one representative of the Maryland Nurses Association, designated by
the President of the Association;
(4) one representative of 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East,
designated by the President of the union;
(5) one representative of the Health Facilities Association of Maryland,
designated by the President of the Association;
(6) one representative of the Maryland Hospital Association, designated by
the President of the Association;
(7) one representative of the LifeSpan Network, designated by the
President of the Network; and
(8) one representative of Leading Age Maryland, designated by the
President of the union.
(c) The workgroup shall consult with the Department of Legislative Services
when developing its recommendations.
(d) The workgroup shall:
(1) review nursing school debt experienced in the United States and in
Maryland;
(2) examine other models for recruitment and retention of nurses and other
health care practitioners regulated by the State Board of Nursing that operate in other
states, including how these models are funded and how a loan repayment assistance
program for the health care practitioners could be competitive with other states; Ch. 675 2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND
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(3) examine and recommend methods to incentivize nursing and nursing
worker students to commit to practicing in medically underserved areas in the State before
entering an educational program or on graduation from nursing school or a program
focusing on training for health care practitioners regulated by the State Board of Nursing;
and
(4) investigate the availability of federal grants to further expand loan
repayment and loan forgiveness for nurses and other health care practitioners regulated
by the State Board of Nursing in Maryland.
(e) (1) On or before December 1, 2022, the workgroup shall submit an interim
report of its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly in accordance with §
2–1257 of the State Government Article.
(2) On or before December 1, 2023, the workgroup shall submit a final
report of its findings and recommendations, including recommendations on the structure
of a permanent advisory council and a permanent funding structure for a loan repayment
assistance program for nurses and other health care practitioners regulated by the State
Board of Nursing, to the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State
Government Article.
SECTION 4. 5. 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the State Board of
Nursing shall adopt the regulations required under § 8–6A–05(b)(2) of the Health
Occupations Article, as enacted under Section 1 of this Act, on or before December 31, 2022.
SECTION 5. 6. 5. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Section 2 of this Act shall
take effect June July 1, 2022, and shall be applicable to all taxable years beginning after
December 31, 2021, but before January 1, 2025. Section 2 of this Act shall remain effective
for a period of 3 years and, at the end of May 31 June 30, 2025, Section 2 of this Act, with
no further action required by the General Assembly, shall be abrogated and of no further
force and effect.
SECTION 7. 6. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, except as provide d in
Section 6 5 of this Act, this Act shall take effect June 1, 2022.
Enacted under Article II, § 17(c) of the Maryland Constitution, May 29, 2022.