HF2639

Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to establish a scholarship program for students entering allied health technician programs. It intends to address workforce needs in the healthcare sector by incentivizing students to pursue and complete education in specific health technician fields.

Main Provisions

• Scholarship Program Creation: The bill sets up a scholarship program to award up to 1,000 scholarships to students by the year 2028.
• Eligible Students: To qualify, students must:
  • Apply in the prescribed manner.
  • Be residents of Minnesota.
  • Attend an eligible institution.
  • Enroll in their first term in an accredited degree, diploma, or certificate program in fields like medical laboratory technology, respiratory therapy, radiology technology, or surgical technology.
  • Submit an affidavit affirming their intent to work in their chosen field post-graduation.
  • Provide employment details after program completion.
• Administration and Award: The scholarship amount is $5,000, paid directly to the student's institution. The first scholarships will be awarded in the 2026-2027 academic year.
• Reporting: By February 2027 and February 2028, the program will be evaluated, and reports will be submitted to legislative committees. These reports should detail program specifics, employment outcomes for recipients, and demand forecasts for health technicians.

Significant Changes

• Funding Appropriation: The bill allocates a one-time amount of $5,380,000 from the general fund for this program, covering scholarships, program promotion, and administration.

Relevant Terms

allied health technician, scholarship program, medical laboratory technologist, respiratory therapist, radiology technologist, surgical technologist, higher education finance, workforce needs, healthcare industry