The General Assembly Raised Bill No. 6886 aims to establish a nursing student loan reimbursement program, effective July 1, 2025. The program, overseen by the Commissioner of Higher Education, will reimburse licensed registered nurses and licensed practical nurses who are residents of the state and have student loans. Eligible participants must apply to the Office of Higher Education and will be required to volunteer a minimum of fifty unpaid hours annually providing healthcare services in designated areas experiencing a shortage of healthcare professionals. The reimbursement amount for each participant will not exceed $5,000 per year.

Additionally, the bill mandates that the Office of Higher Education can allocate up to 2.5% of the appropriated funds for program administration and outreach. The Commissioner is also required to report annually on the program's operation and effectiveness, including any recommendations for expansion, starting January 1, 2027. The bill introduces new legal language to establish this program while deleting any previous provisions that may conflict with its implementation.