The bill amends New Jersey's Primary Care Practitioner Loan Redemption Program, renaming it the Health Care Professional Loan Redemption Program and expanding eligibility criteria. It broadens the definition of "approved site" to include a wider range of locations serving medically underserved populations and increases the maximum loan redemption amount from $120,000 to $200,000 for participants at these sites. The bill also allows for the inclusion of psychiatrists and other health care professionals designated by the Commissioner of Health, thereby enhancing the program's reach to address workforce shortages in critical health care fields.

Additionally, the legislation introduces new requirements for designating State-designated underserved areas, including automatic designation for municipalities with a significant percentage of households below the federal poverty level. It mandates the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to publish annual data on these areas and the number of positions needed, promoting transparency. Other amendments adjust service obligations, permitting part-time service after an initial two-year full-time commitment, and establish a six-month probationary period for new participants. The bill aims to improve access to health care services in underserved areas and strengthen the health care workforce in New Jersey.

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