The proposed bill, General Assembly Proposed Bill No. 6557, aims to establish a student loan forgiveness program and a recruitment and retention incentive program specifically for licensed athletic trainers in the state. The bill introduces a student loan forgiveness program that allows for the forgiveness of up to $25,000 in graduate school loans for athletic trainers who meet certain criteria, including not participating in other loan forgiveness programs, maintaining licensure, and committing to work in the state for a minimum of five years full-time or eight years part-time. Additionally, athletic trainers working in rural or underserved areas may qualify for up to $35,000 in loan forgiveness under similar conditions.

Furthermore, the bill proposes a recruitment and retention incentive program that includes several measures to attract and retain athletic trainers. These measures consist of reducing licensure fees, providing scholarship funding for graduate programs, and offering grants of up to $30,000 for relocating athletic trainers, with an increased grant of up to $40,000 for those who practice in rural or underserved areas. The program also aims to develop recommendations for the appropriate number of athletic trainers based on the active population at workplaces and establishes a grant fund for mentorship and education initiatives to enhance recruitment and retention in the profession.