Substitute Senate Bill No. 1450 aims to strengthen the health care workforce in Connecticut by establishing a loan reimbursement program for full-time health care providers, effective July 1, 2025. This program will prioritize at least 20% of grants for primary care providers and those serving rural communities or federally qualified health centers. The bill mandates the Department of Public Health (DPH) to develop eligibility requirements and allows for the adoption of regulations to implement the program. Additionally, it prohibits state-administered loan reimbursement programs from requiring nonprofit employment for physicians, physician assistants, or advanced practice registered nurses as a condition for eligibility.

The bill also introduces a Virtual Education Pilot Program for training nurse's aides and emergency medical technicians, set to begin by January 1, 2026, while modifying existing educational initiatives to include radiologic technology, nuclear medicine technology, and respiratory care in schools. Furthermore, it establishes a grant program to assist athletic trainers relocating to underserved areas in Connecticut. The bill repeals and replaces Section 10-21q of the general statutes to reflect these changes and includes various insertions and deletions to clarify the language and intent of the legislation. The implementation of these programs is expected to incur costs for the DPH and the Department of Education, while also generating revenue through licensure fees.

Statutes affected:
PH Joint Favorable Substitute: 10-21q
File No. 611: 10-21q