89R9109 CMO-F
By: Orr H.B. No. 2544
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to student loan repayment assistance for certain nurses
employed by a long-term care facility.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 61, Education Code, is amended by adding
Subchapter N to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER N. REPAYMENT OF EDUCATION LOANS FOR CERTAIN NURSES
Sec. 61.731. LOAN REPAYMENT ASSISTANCE AUTHORIZED. The
board shall provide, in accordance with this subchapter and board
rules, assistance in the repayment of eligible student loans for
eligible nurses who apply and qualify for the assistance.
Sec. 61.732. ELIGIBILITY. To be eligible to receive loan
repayment assistance under this subchapter, a nurse must:
(1) apply to the board in a manner prescribed by the
board;
(2) be an advanced practice registered nurse,
registered nurse, or licensed vocational nurse; and
(3) at the time of application for repayment
assistance have been employed full-time for at least one year by,
and currently be employed full-time by:
(A) a convalescent or nursing facility licensed
under Chapter 242, Health and Safety Code; or
(B) a continuing care facility regulated under
Chapter 246, Health and Safety Code.
Sec. 61.733. LIMITATIONS. A nurse may receive loan
repayment assistance under this subchapter for not more than five
years.
Sec. 61.734. ELIGIBLE LOANS. (a) The board may provide
loan repayment assistance under this subchapter for the repayment
of any student loan for education at an institution of higher
education, a private or independent institution of higher
education, or a public or private out-of-state institution of
higher education accredited by a recognized accrediting agency,
including loans for undergraduate education, received by an
eligible person through any lender.
(b) The board may not provide repayment assistance for a
student loan that is in default at the time of the person's
application.
(c) In each state fiscal biennium, the board shall attempt
to allocate all money appropriated to the board for the purpose of
providing loan repayment assistance under this subchapter.
Sec. 61.735. REPAYMENT. (a) The board shall deliver any
repayment under this subchapter in a lump sum payable:
(1) to both the lender or other holder of the loan and
the nurse; or
(2) directly to the lender or other holder of the loan
on the nurse's behalf.
(b) A repayment under this subchapter may be applied to any
amount due in connection with the loan.
Sec. 61.736. AMOUNT OF REPAYMENT ASSISTANCE. (a) A nurse
may receive loan repayment assistance under this subchapter in an
amount determined by the board, not to exceed $5,000 for each year
the nurse establishes eligibility for the assistance.
(b) The total amount of loan repayment assistance awarded
under this subchapter may not exceed the sum of:
(1) the total amount of gifts and grants accepted by
the board for the repayment assistance;
(2) legislative appropriations for the repayment
assistance; and
(3) other money available to the board for the
repayment assistance.
(c) The board may adjust in an equitable manner the
distribution amounts that nurses would otherwise receive under
Subsection (a) for a year as necessary to comply with Subsections
(b) and (d).
(d) The total amount of loan repayment assistance awarded
under this subchapter may not exceed $6 million in each state fiscal
biennium.
Sec. 61.737. RULES; ADMINISTRATION. (a) The board shall
adopt rules necessary to administer this subchapter.
(b) The board shall distribute to each institution of higher
education or private or independent institution of higher education
and to any appropriate state agency and professional association
copies of the rules adopted under this section and other pertinent
information relating to this subchapter.
(c) The board shall administer the program under this
subchapter in a manner that maximizes any matching funds available
through other sources.
(d) A reasonable amount, not to exceed three percent, of any
money appropriated for purposes of this subchapter may be used to
pay the costs of administering this subchapter.
Sec. 61.738. SOLICITATION AND ACCEPTANCE OF MONEY. The
board may solicit and accept gifts and grants from any public or
private source for the purposes of this subchapter.
SECTION 2. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is
required to provide assistance in the repayment of eligible student
loans for eligible nurses as provided by this Act only if the
legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose. If
the legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that
purpose, the board may, but is not required to, provide assistance
in the repayment of eligible student loans for eligible nurses as
provided by this Act using other appropriations available for that
purpose.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.