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) will oversee the program, which includes the creation of a clinical scholarship program funded by the Workforce Development Partnership Fund. The program will reimburse education costs for 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 implement a recruitment bonus program for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses, offering bonuses up to $6,000 payable over two years.

The bill also mandates the establishment of specialized training programs for health care personnel, focusing on critical areas such as infection control, geriatric care, PTSD management, and trauma-informed care for veterans. The Adjutant General is tasked with providing annual reports to the Governor and the Legislature on the program's effectiveness, including metrics on educational reimbursements and recruitment successes. To support these initiatives, the bill appropriates a total of $370,000 from the Workforce Development Partnership Fund, with $120,000 designated for recruitment bonuses and $250,000 for training reimbursements.