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 program will be administered by the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) in collaboration with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the State Employment and Training Commission, and the Department of Health. Key components of the program include a clinical scholarship initiative funded by the Workforce Development Partnership Fund, which will reimburse education costs for certified nurse assistants and other health care personnel pursuing nursing degrees, provided they commit to working at a veterans home for at least two years post-education. Additionally, the DMVA will implement a recruitment bonus program offering up to $6,000 for newly hired registered nurses and licensed practical nurses, with a total of $120,000 allocated for this purpose.

The bill also mandates the DMVA to create a list of specialized training programs focusing on essential areas such as infection control, geriatric care, PTSD management, and trauma-informed care for veterans. An annual report will be submitted by the Adjutant General to the Governor and the Legislature, detailing the program's participation levels and its effectiveness in improving the recruitment and retention of health care personnel. The total appropriation for the program is $370,000, with $250,000 designated for training reimbursements and $120,000 for recruitment bonuses. The act is set to take effect three months after enactment and will expire two years thereafter.