This bill establishes a two-year pilot program aimed at enhancing the recruitment, training, and retention of qualified health care professionals at New Jersey's veterans memorial homes located in Menlo Park, Paramus, and Vineland. The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) is tasked with implementing this program, which includes creating a clinical scholarship program in collaboration with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the State Employment and Training Commission, and the Department of Health. The program will provide reimbursement for education costs incurred by certified nurse assistants and other health care personnel pursuing nursing degrees, contingent upon their commitment to work at a veterans memorial home for at least two years post-education. Additionally, the DMVA will establish a bonus program to incentivize the hiring of registered nurses and licensed practical nurses, with bonuses not exceeding $6,000 per recruit.

The bill also mandates the DMVA to create a list of specialized training programs focusing on critical areas such as infection control, geriatric care, PTSD management, and trauma-informed care for veterans. An annual report from the Adjutant General to the Governor and the Legislature will track the program's effectiveness, detailing the number of professionals participating in the educational reimbursement program and the success of the recruitment efforts. The total appropriation for this initiative is $370,000, with $120,000 allocated for recruitment bonuses and $250,000 for educational reimbursements.