The bill, S.B. No. 536, amends the Government Code to expand the eligibility criteria for the Homes for Texas Heroes home loan program to include nurses alongside other professions such as fire fighters, corrections officers, and veterans. Specifically, it adds "nurse" to the definition of "home" and establishes a clear definition of "nurse" as an individual licensed under Chapter 301 of the Occupations Code, excluding advanced practice registered nurses. The bill also modifies various sections to ensure that nurses are recognized as eligible applicants for low-interest home mortgage loans, thereby enhancing access to housing assistance for this group.

In addition to the inclusion of nurses, the bill maintains existing eligibility requirements, such as residency in Texas and income limits. It allows the corporation to contract with other agencies to verify the qualifications of applicants and outlines the rules for administering the program, including loan processing and occupancy verification. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, thereby providing a timeline for the implementation of these changes to the home loan program.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 2306.5621, Government Code 301.152 (Government Code 2306, Government Code 301)