The bill establishes the Kansas healthcare service scholarship program, replacing the previous nursing service scholarship program and expanding eligibility to include part-time students and various allied health and health science programs. It involves transferring funds from the state general fund to support this new initiative and repeals the existing nursing scholarship program. Key amendments include renaming the program and broadening the range of eligible healthcare-related degree programs, with scholarships awarded based on financial need. Recipients are required to engage in full-time or part-time practice in a healthcare profession after graduation, with provisions for postponing obligations under certain circumstances, such as military service or medical disability.

Additionally, the bill amends existing laws by replacing references to "nursing" with "healthcare" and modifies the obligations of individuals under sponsorship agreements. It clarifies that obligations can be satisfied if the sponsor cannot employ the individual due to bankruptcy or operational failures. The bill also establishes the Kansas healthcare service scholarship program fund, redesignating the previous nursing service scholarship fund, and mandates the state board of regents to adopt regulations for administering the program. An annual report on the program's status is required, and the bill abolishes the nursing student scholarship discontinued attendance fund while creating a new scholarship repayment fund to ensure proper allocation of resources for the new program.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 74-3291, 74-3292, 74-3293, 74-3294, 74-3295, 74-3296, 74-3297, 74-3298