89R12917 KRM-D
By: Guerra H.B. No. 2860
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a plan by the Department of State Health Services to
establish and improve tuition reimbursement and student loan
repayment programs for health care professionals serving border
communities.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. PLAN FOR ESTABLISHING AND IMPROVING TUITION
REIMBURSEMENT AND STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAMS FOR HEALTH CARE
PROFESSIONALS IN BORDER COMMUNITIES. (a) The Department of State
Health Services, in consultation with the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board, shall develop and adopt a plan to establish new
and improve existing tuition reimbursement programs and programs
providing assistance with the repayment of student loans for
eligible health care professionals who are serving in communities
near and along the international border of this state with the
United Mexican States.
(b) The plan developed under this section must:
(1) require a health care professional to commit to
full-time employment as a health care professional in the
communities near and along the international border of this state
with the United Mexican States for a specified time to be eligible
for participation in the tuition reimbursement and student loan
repayment programs; and
(2) give preference for participation in the programs
to health care professionals who live in those communities.
SECTION 2. SUBMISSION TO LEGISLATURE. Not later than
September 1, 2026, the Department of State Health Services shall
submit to the legislature the plan developed under Section 1 of this
Act and the estimated cost to this state of implementing the plan.
SECTION 3. EXPIRATION. This Act expires January 1, 2027.
SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect
immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members
elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas
Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for
immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2025.