TITLE 39

HEALTH AND SAFETY

CHAPTER 25

RURAL NURSING LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM [EFFECTIVE UNTIL JUNE 30, 2029]

39-2502.  definitions. [EFFECTIVE UNTIL JUNE 30, 2029] As used in this chapter:

(1)  "Applicant" means an individual submitting documents required by the department of health and welfare for the purpose of requesting a grant from the rural nursing loan repayment program.

(2)  "Application period" means the time period from October 1 to November 30 of the state fiscal year for which funding is requested.

(3)  "Approval" means written notification that the application will be awarded funding through the rural nursing loan repayment program.

(4)  "Board" means the rural nursing loan repayment grant review board.

(5)  "Department" means the department of health and welfare.

(6)  "Director" means the director of the department.

(7)  "Eligible area" means:

(a)  A rural area also designated by the United States secretary of health and human services as a health professional shortage area;

(b)  A county without a population center of twenty thousand (20,000) or more persons; or

(c)  All certified Idaho critical access hospitals.

(8)  "Eligible employer" means:

(a)  Critical access hospitals, federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics, long-term care facilities, public health districts, state hospitals, licensed home health agencies, licensed hospice agencies, rural health care clinics, tribal clinics, veterans health administration hospitals, veterans health administration clinics, veterans health administration long-term care homes, or Indian health service clinics; or

(b)  Any other employer located in a rural area that employs nurses for purposes of providing nursing services to patients, as determine by the board.

(9)  "Grant period" means the time immediately following the application period from December 1 through June 30 for which funding is granted.

(10) "Nurse" means a licensed practical nurse or a registered nurse pursuant to chapter 14, title 54, Idaho Code.

(11) "Qualified nursing education debt" means a debt with a financial aid program or financial institution incurred to meet the educational costs of attending an accredited nursing school.

(12) "Recipient" means an individual who receives a grant pursuant to this chapter.

(13) "Rural nurse" means a licensed nurse who spends a minimum of thirty-two (32) hours per week, on average, providing nursing care to patients in an eligible area.

(14) "Rural nursing loan repayment fund" or "fund" means the fund in the state treasury established in section 39-2503, Idaho Code.

(15) "Rural nursing loan repayment grant" or "grant" means a grant awarded pursuant to this chapter.

(16) "Rural nursing loan repayment program" or "program" means the rural nursing loan repayment program established by this chapter.

History:

[39-2502, added 2023, ch. 60, sec. 1, p. 218.]