The proposed legislation, General Assembly Raised Bill No. 7097, aims to establish the "Stone Academy Healthcare Education Support Program," which will provide scholarships to students who have enrolled in the practical nurse education program at Stone Academy between November 1, 2021, and February 28, 2023. To qualify for the scholarship, students must be pursuing a healthcare certificate or degree from an accredited program recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and, if applicable, approved by the Connecticut State Board of Examiners for Nursing or another relevant board. The scholarship will cover various healthcare-related programs, including nursing, dental hygiene, and medical assisting, among others, and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until the allocated funds are exhausted or until June 30, 2030.

Additionally, the bill appropriates $10 million from the General Fund to the Office of Higher Education for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, to support the scholarship program. The Office of Higher Education is also required to submit annual reports to the General Assembly regarding the program's impact on the state's healthcare workforce, starting January 1, 2027, and continuing until January 1, 2031. The bill includes new legal language to establish the program and its funding, while no deletions from current law are specified.