What's happening
This bill creates a loan forgiveness program for mental health nurses in New York who work in rural or public mental health settings.
Why it matters
Addresses the shortage of mental health nurses in underserved areas. by providing a financial incentive for nurses to work in rural and public mental health settings, potentially improving access to care for vulnerable populations.
Offers targeted support to economically disadvantaged nurses. , prioritizing applicants who may be less able to afford student loan repayment, thus promoting diversity and equity in the mental health workforce.
Defines clear eligibility and commitment requirements. such as the need to apply within two years of graduation and to work in specific types of mental health facilities—which ensures the program directly supports recent graduates who are willing to serve high-need communities.
Limits awards based on available funding. , meaning the program’s reach will depend on state budget allocations, potentially making the application process competitive and raising the importance of efficient targeting of resources.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Erase Loans for Mental Nurses
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to higher education
- Print number 5552b
- Amend and recommit to finance
- Reported and committed to finance
- Print number 5552a
- Amend and recommit to higher education
- Referred to higher education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Forgive Loans for Mental Health Nurses
In Assembly Committee · Higher Education · Sponsor Aileen Gunther
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5552--B
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
April 11, 2017
Introduced by Sens. RITCHIE, KENNEDY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Higher Education -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee -- reported favorably from said committee and committed to the Committee on Finance -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to providing loan forgiveness for mental health nurses
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 679-j to read as follows:
§ 679-j. New York state mental health nurse loan forgiveness incentive program. 1. Purpose. The president shall grant student loan forgiveness awards for the purpose of alleviating the burden of student loan debt for mental health nurses in New York state. Such awards shall be made on a competitive basis as promulgated by the corporation for such purposes, to applicants who meet the eligibility criteria. Such rules and regulations shall include provisions for the consideration of applicants who are economically disadvantaged.
2. Eligibility. To be eligible for an award pursuant to this section, applicants shall:
(a) have graduated and obtained a degree from an approved New York state college or university;
(b) have an outstanding student loan debt from obtaining such degree;
(c) be employed as a professional or practical nurse, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist in New York state in accordance with sections six thousand nine hundred five, six thousand nine hundred six, six thousand nine hundred ten and six thousand nine hundred eleven of this chapter;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10859-03-7
S. 5552--B 2
(d) apply for this program within two years of college graduation; and
(e) comply with subdivisions three and five of section six hundred sixty-one of this part;
(f) make a commitment to practice in a tract or county defined by the health resources and services administration as being "rural" or eligible for a rural health grant; and
(g) make a commitment to practice in state psychiatric hospitals, hospital in-patient psychiatric units, addiction treatment centers, behavioral health clinics or a county run mental health program for the duration of the award.
3. Awards. The corporation shall grant such awards within amounts appropriated for such purposes and based on the availability of funds.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to providing loan forgiveness for mental health nurses
Purpose
To provide loan forgiveness for mental health nurses.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. adds a new section 679-h to the education law to provide loan forgiveness for mental health nurses.
Section 2. provides the effective date.
Justification
New York State's mental health care system is facing a severe crisis attracting nurses and other health care professionals into the field to care for individuals and children at state and locally based treatment programs. The lack of nurses is particularly acute in New York's rural areas where state operated institutions like the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center struggle to recruit nurses to staff in-patient and outpatient programs for both children and adults.
Creating a student nursing loan forgiveness program will help to encourage nurses and nursing students to enter the mental health field. High student loan debt is often cited as a reason why graduates of nursing programs seek positions in urban areas and in fields outside of the mental health field. Creating a student loan debt relief program for nurses that choose to work in the mental health field can help rural areas attract the professionals they need. Rural mental health care programs and in-patient facilities already face difficulties in recruiting specialized health care professionals, such as nurses, due to their remoteness, long commutes and lifestyle differences.
Mental health nurses work with individuals and their families to develop a comprehensive approach to medical and nursing care for psychiatric disorders in both in-patient and community-based settings. With New York's rural areas already facing higher rates of mortality, disability and chronic diseases compared to urban and suburban areas, ways to address severe staffing shortages is critical to preventing the collapse of rural health care networks that rely on a comprehensive team approach.
Creating a new student loan repayment program for mental health nurses will help provide a powerful new recruitment tool to help encourage nurses to enter the mental health field.
Legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.