The bill amends the existing Primary Care Practitioner Loan Redemption Program in New Jersey, renaming it the Health Care Professional Loan Redemption Program and expanding eligibility criteria. Notable changes include a broader definition of "approved site" to encompass various locations serving medically underserved populations, and an increase in the maximum loan redemption amount from $120,000 to $200,000 for participants employed at these approved sites. The bill also allows for the inclusion of psychiatrists and other health care professionals designated by the Commissioner of Health, thereby broadening the scope of eligible practitioners and addressing workforce shortages in critical health care fields.

Additional provisions in the bill establish criteria for designating State-designated underserved areas, automatically including municipalities with a significant percentage of households below the federal poverty level. The Higher Education Student Assistance Authority is mandated to publish annual data on these underserved areas and the number of positions needed. Furthermore, the bill adjusts service obligations for program participants, permitting part-time service after an initial two-year full-time commitment, and introduces a six-month probationary period for new participants. Overall, the legislation aims to enhance access to primary and mental health care services in underserved areas by incentivizing health care professionals to practice in these locations.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 18A:71C-36.1, 18A:71C-46.1, 18A:71C-58, 18A:71C-65, 18A:71C-48