The bill establishes the Washington Health Corps Behavioral Health Scholarship Program, which aims to incentivize health care professionals to serve in underserved communities by providing them with financial assistance for their education through loan repayment and scholarships. The program includes various components such as the health professional loan repayment and scholarship program, the behavioral health loan repayment and scholarship program, the nurse educator loan repayment program, and the forensic pathology loan repayment program. Key amendments to existing law include the addition of "and scholarship" to the behavioral health loan repayment program, thereby expanding the support available to credentialed health professionals in this field.

Additionally, the bill outlines the responsibilities of the office administering these programs, including selecting participants, establishing award amounts, and determining eligibility criteria for various health professions. It also specifies that funds appropriated for the behavioral health loan repayment and scholarship program can be used for both loan repayments and scholarships, ensuring that financial resources are effectively allocated to support participants. The bill emphasizes the importance of addressing health professional shortages and improving access to care in underserved areas, while also providing mechanisms for repayment and support for participants who encounter challenges in fulfilling their service obligations.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 28B.115.030, 28B.115.080, 28B.115.090, 28B.115.120, 28B.115.135
Bill as Passed Legislature: 28B.115.030, 28B.115.080, 28B.115.090, 28B.115.120, 28B.115.135
Session Law: 28B.115.030, 28B.115.080, 28B.115.090, 28B.115.120, 28B.115.135