The bill establishes the Kansas healthcare service scholarship program, replacing the previous nursing service scholarship program and expanding eligibility to include part-time students. It broadens the scope of eligible fields of study to encompass allied health and health science programs, thereby allowing a wider range of healthcare-related degrees and certifications. The bill also involves the transfer of funds from the state general fund to support this new scholarship initiative and repeals the existing nursing scholarship program. Key amendments include the renaming of the program and the specification that scholarships will be awarded based on financial need, with obligations for recipients to practice in their field after graduation.

In addition to these changes, the bill amends various sections of Kansas law to replace references to "nursing" with "healthcare," reflecting a more inclusive approach to healthcare education funding. The state board of regents is tasked with adopting necessary regulations for the administration of the revised scholarship program and is required to provide annual reports to legislative committees. The bill also abolishes the nursing student scholarship discontinued attendance fund and redesignates the nursing scholarship program fund as the Kansas healthcare service scholarship fund, while establishing a new repayment fund to ensure that all collected funds are allocated for scholarships under the updated program.

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