Subdivision 1. Creation. The home and community-based services employee scholarship grant and loan forgiveness program is established for the purposes of assisting qualified provider applicants to fund employee scholarships for education in nursing and other health care fields, funding scholarships to individual home and community-based services workers for education in nursing and other health care fields, and repaying qualified educational loans secured by employees for education in nursing or other health care fields.
Subd. 1a. Definition. For purposes of this section, "qualified educational loan" means a government, commercial, or foundation loan secured by an employee of a qualified provider of home and community-based services for older adults for actual costs paid for tuition, reasonable education expenses, and reasonable living expenses related to the employee's graduate or undergraduate education.
Subd. 2. Provision of grants; scholarships; loan forgiveness. (a) The commissioner shall make grants available to qualified providers of home and community-based services for older adults. Grants must be used by home and community-based service providers to recruit and train staff through the establishment of an employee scholarship fund.
(b) The commissioner may provide scholarships for qualified educational expenses to individual home and community-based services workers who are employed in the home and community-based services field.
(c) The commissioner may use up to one-third of the annual funding available for this section to establish a loan forgiveness program for eligible home and community-based services workers who provide home and community-based services to older adults and for whom an eligible provider employer submits their names to the commissioner for consideration. To the extent possible, the loan forgiveness program must meet the standards of the loan forgiveness program in section 144.1501.
Subd. 3. Eligibility. (a) Eligible providers must primarily provide services to individuals who are 65 years of age and older in home and community-based settings, including assisted living facilities as defined in section 144G.08, subdivision 7; adult day care as defined in section 245A.02, subdivision 2a; and home care services as defined in section 144A.43, subdivision 3.
(b) Under the scholarship program, qualifying providers must establish a home and community-based services employee scholarship program, as specified in subdivision 4. Providers that receive funding under this section must use the funds to provide educational programs or award scholarships to employees who: (1) are enrolled in a course of study that leads to career advancement with the provider or in the field of long-term care, including home care, care of persons with disabilities, nursing, or as a licensed assisted living director; and (2) work an average of at least ten hours per week for the provider. Employees who receive a scholarship under this section must use the scholarship funds for eligible costs of enrolling in a course of study that leads to career advancement in the facility or in the field of long-term care, including home care, care of persons with disabilities, nursing, or as a licensed assisted living director.
(c) Under the loan forgiveness program, qualifying providers that provide employee names to the commissioner for consideration must be located in Minnesota. If necessary due to the volume of applications for loan forgiveness, the commissioner, in collaboration with home and community-based services stakeholders, shall determine priority areas for loan forgiveness. Employees eligible for loan forgiveness include employees working as a licensed assisted living director. Employees selected to receive loan forgiveness must agree to work a minimum average of 32 hours per week for a minimum of two years for a qualifying provider organization in order to maintain eligibility for loan forgiveness under this section.
Subd. 4. Duties of participating qualifying providers. (a) Each qualifying provider under this section must propose a home and community-based services employee scholarship program, propose to provide contracted programming from a qualified educational institution, or submit employee names for consideration for participation in the loan forgiveness program.
(b) For the scholarship program, providers must establish criteria by which funds are to be distributed among employees. At a minimum, the scholarship program must cover employee costs related to a course of study that is expected to lead to career advancement with the provider or in the field of long-term care, including home care, care of persons with disabilities, nursing, or as a licensed assisted living director.
Subd. 5. Request for proposals. The commissioner shall publish a request for proposals in the State Register, specifying qualifying provider eligibility requirements, criteria for a qualifying employee scholarship program, provider selection criteria, documentation required for program participation, maximum award amount, and methods of evaluation. The commissioner must publish additional requests for proposals each year in which funding is available for this purpose.
Subd. 6. Application requirements. (a) Eligible providers seeking a grant to provide scholarships and educational programming and eligible employees seeking a scholarship shall submit an application to the commissioner. Applications from eligible providers must contain a complete description of the employee scholarship program being proposed by the applicant, including the need for the organization to enhance the education of its workforce, the process for determining which employees will be eligible for scholarships, any other sources of funding for scholarships, the expected degrees or credentials eligible for scholarships, the amount of funding sought for the scholarship program, a proposed budget detailing how funds will be spent, and plans for retaining eligible employees after completion of their scholarship.
(b) Eligible providers seeking loan forgiveness for employees shall submit to the commissioner the names of their employees to be considered for loan forgiveness. An employee whose name has been submitted to the commissioner and who wishes to apply for loan forgiveness must submit an application to the commissioner. The employee is responsible for securing the employee's qualified educational loans. The commissioner shall select employees for participation based on their suitability for practice as indicated by experience or training. The commissioner shall give preference to employees close to completing their training. For each year that an employee meets the service obligation required under subdivision 3, up to a maximum of four years, the commissioner shall make annual disbursements directly to the employee equivalent to 15 percent of the average educational debt for indebted graduates in their profession in the year closest to the employee's selection for which information is available, not to exceed the balance of the employee's qualified educational loans. Before receiving loan repayment disbursements and as requested, the employee must complete and return to the commissioner a confirmation of practice form provided by the commissioner verifying that the employee is practicing as required under subdivision 3. The employee must provide the commissioner with verification that the full amount of loan repayment disbursement received by the employee has been applied toward the designated loans. After each disbursement, verification must be received by the commissioner and approved before the next loan repayment disbursement is made. Employees who move to a different eligible provider remain eligible for loan repayment as long as they practice as required in subdivision 3. If an employee does not fulfill the required minimum service commitment according to subdivision 3, the commissioner shall collect from the employee the total amount paid to the employee under the loan forgiveness program, plus interest at a rate established according to section 270C.40. The commissioner shall deposit the money collected in an account in the special revenue fund and money in that account is annually appropriated to the commissioner for purposes of this section. The commissioner may allow waivers of all or part of the money owed to the commissioner as a result of a nonfulfillment penalty if emergency circumstances prevented fulfillment of the minimum service commitment.
Subd. 7. Selection process. The commissioner shall determine a maximum award for grants and loan forgiveness, and shall make selections based on the information provided in the grant application, including the demonstrated need for an applicant provider to enhance the education of its workforce, the proposed employee scholarship or loan forgiveness selection process, the applicant's proposed budget, and other criteria as determined by the commissioner. Notwithstanding any law or rule to the contrary, amounts appropriated for purposes of this section do not cancel and are available until expended, except that at the end of each biennium, any remaining amount that is not committed by contract and not needed to fulfill existing commitments shall cancel to the general fund.
Subd. 8. Reporting requirements. (a) Participating providers who receive a grant for employee scholarships shall submit an invoice for reimbursement and a report to the commissioner on a schedule determined by the commissioner and on a form supplied by the commissioner. The report shall include the amount spent on scholarships; the number of employees who received scholarships; and, for each scholarship recipient, the name of the recipient, the current position of the recipient, the amount awarded, the educational institution attended, the nature of the educational program, and the expected or actual program completion date. During the grant period, the commissioner may require and collect from grant recipients other information necessary to evaluate the program.
(b) Employees who receive scholarships from the commissioner shall report information to the commissioner on a schedule determined by the commissioner and on a form supplied by the commissioner.
(c) Participating providers whose employees receive loan forgiveness shall submit a report to the commissioner on a schedule determined by the commissioner and on a form supplied by the commissioner. The report must include the number of employees receiving loan forgiveness, and for each employee receiving loan forgiveness, the employee's name, current position, and average number of hours worked per week. During the loan forgiveness period, the commissioner may require and collect from participating providers and employees receiving loan forgiveness other information necessary to evaluate the program and ensure ongoing eligibility.
2015 c 71 art 6 s 1; 2022 c 98 art 1 s 5
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapter 144 — Department Of Health
Section 144.011 — Department Of Health.
Section 144.05 — General Duties Of Commissioner; Reports.
Section 144.0505 — Cooperation With Commissioner Of Human Services.
Section 144.051 — Data Relating To Licensed And Registered Persons.
Section 144.052 — Use Of Data.
Section 144.0525 — Epidemiologic Studies; Health Hazards; Health Surveillance.
Section 144.053 — Research Studies Confidential.
Section 144.0535 — Entry For Inspection.
Section 144.054 — Subpoena Power.
Section 144.055 — Home Safety Programs.
Section 144.056 — Plain Language In Written Materials.
Section 144.057 — Background Studies On Licensees And Other Personnel.
Section 144.058 — Interpreter Services Quality Initiative.
Section 144.059 — Palliative Care Advisory Council.
Section 144.06 — State Commissioner Of Health To Provide Instruction.
Section 144.061 — Early Dental Prevention Initiative.
Section 144.062 — Vaccine Cost Reduction Program.
Section 144.064 — The Vivian Act.
Section 144.065 — Prevention And Treatment Of Sexually Transmitted Infections.
Section 144.07 — Powers Of Commissioner.
Section 144.0721 — Assessments Of Care And Services To Nursing Home Residents.
Section 144.0724 — Resident Reimbursement Classification.
Section 144.074 — Funds Received From Other Sources.
Section 144.0742 — Contracts For Provision Of Public Health Services.
Section 144.0751 — Health Standards.
Section 144.077 — Mobile Health Care Providers.
Section 144.09 — Cooperation With Federal Authorities.
Section 144.092 — Coordinated Nutrition Data Collection.
Section 144.10 — Federal Aid For Maternal And Child Welfare Services.
Section 144.111 — Rules, Notice Published.
Section 144.12 — Regulation, Enforcement, Licenses, Fees.
Section 144.1201 — Definitions.
Section 144.1202 — United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Agreement.
Section 144.1203 — Training; Rulemaking.
Section 144.1204 — Surety Requirements.
Section 144.1205 — Radioactive Material; Special Nuclear Material.
Section 144.121 — X-ray Machines; Other Sources Of Ionizing Radiation.
Section 144.1212 — Notice To Patient; Mammogram Results.
Section 144.1215 — Authorization To Use Handheld Dental X-ray Equipment.
Section 144.122 — License, Permit, And Survey Fees.
Section 144.1222 — Public Pools; Enclosed Sports Arenas.
Section 144.1225 — Advanced Diagnostic Imaging Services.
Section 144.123 — Fees For Diagnostic Laboratory Services; Exceptions.
Section 144.125 — Tests Of Infants For Heritable And Congenital Disorders.
Section 144.1251 — Newborn Screening For Critical Congenital Heart Disease (cchd).
Section 144.1255 — Heritable And Congenital Disorders.
Section 144.128 — Commissioner's Duties.
Section 144.14 — Quarantine Of Interstate Carriers.
Section 144.145 — Fluoridation Of Municipal Water Supplies.
Section 144.1461 — Dignity In Pregnancy And Childbirth.
Section 144.1464 — Summer Health Care Interns.
Section 144.1465 — Finding And Purpose.
Section 144.147 — Rural Hospital Planning And Transition Grant Program.
Section 144.1476 — Rural Pharmacy Planning And Transition Grant Program.
Section 144.148 — Rural Hospital Capital Improvement Grant Program.
Section 144.1481 — Rural Health Advisory Committee.
Section 144.1482 — Office Of Rural Health.
Section 144.1483 — Rural Health Initiatives.
Section 144.1485 — Database On Health Personnel.
Section 144.1492 — State Rural Health Network Reform Initiative.
Section 144.1493 — Nursing Grant Program.
Section 144.1501 — Health Professional Education Loan Forgiveness Program.
Section 144.1505 — Health Professionals Clinical Training Expansion Grant Program.
Section 144.1506 — Primary Care Residency Expansion Grant Program.
Section 144.1911 — International Medical Graduates Assistance Program.
Section 144.1912 — Greater Minnesota Family Medicine Residency Grant Program.
Section 144.193 — Inventory Of Biological And Health Data.
Section 144.212 — Definitions.
Section 144.213 — Office Of Vital Records.
Section 144.2131 — Security Of Vital Records System.
Section 144.215 — Birth Registration.
Section 144.2151 — Record Of Birth Resulting In Stillbirth.
Section 144.216 — Foundling Registration.
Section 144.217 — Delayed Records Of Birth.
Section 144.218 — Replacement Birth Records.
Section 144.2181 — Amendment And Correction Of Vital Records.
Section 144.221 — Death Registration.
Section 144.2215 — Minnesota Birth Defects Information System.
Section 144.2216 — Birth Defects Records And Reports Required.
Section 144.2217 — Classification Of Birth Defects Information.
Section 144.2218 — Transfers Of Information To Other Government Agencies.
Section 144.2219 — Transfers Of Information To Research Entities.
Section 144.222 — Reports Of Fetal Or Infant Death.
Section 144.223 — Report Of Marriage.
Section 144.225 — Disclosure Of Information From Vital Records.
Section 144.2252 — Access To Original Birth Record After Adoption.
Section 144.2255 — Certified Birth Record For Homeless Youth.
Section 144.29 — Health Records; Children Of School Age.
Section 144.291 — Minnesota Health Records Act.
Section 144.292 — Patient Rights.
Section 144.293 — Release Or Disclosure Of Health Records.
Section 144.294 — Records Relating To Mental Health.
Section 144.295 — Disclosure Of Health Records For External Research.
Section 144.296 — Copies Of Videotapes.
Section 144.297 — Independent Medical Examination.
Section 144.30 — Copies Of Records Evidence In Juvenile Court.
Section 144.32 — False Statements Cause For Discharge.
Section 144.334 — Right To Request Patient Information.
Section 144.3345 — Interconnected Electronic Health Record Grants.
Section 144.3351 — Immunization Data.
Section 144.3352 — Hepatitis B Maternal Carrier Data; Infant Immunization.
Section 144.336 — Registry Of Persons Typed For Human Leukocyte Antigens.
Section 144.34 — Investigation And Control Of Occupational Diseases.
Section 144.341 — Living Apart From Parents And Managing Financial Affairs.
Section 144.342 — Marriage Or Giving Birth, Consent For Health Service For Self Or Child.
Section 144.343 — Pregnancy, Venereal Disease, Alcohol Or Drug Abuse, Abortion.
Section 144.344 — Emergency Treatment.
Section 144.3441 — Hepatitis B Vaccination.
Section 144.345 — Representations To Persons Rendering Service.
Section 144.346 — Information To Parents.
Section 144.347 — Financial Responsibility.
Section 144.35 — Pollution Of Water.
Section 144.36 — Appeal To District Court.
Section 144.37 — Other Remedies Preserved.
Section 144.382 — Definitions.
Section 144.383 — Authority Of Commissioner.
Section 144.384 — Notice Of Violation.
Section 144.385 — Public Notice.
Section 144.3855 — Limitation.
Section 144.3872 — Female Genital Mutilation; Education And Outreach.
Section 144.391 — Public Policy.
Section 144.392 — Duties Of Commissioner.
Section 144.393 — Public Communications Program.
Section 144.394 — Health Promotion And Education.
Section 144.396 — Tobacco Use Prevention.
Section 144.397 — Statewide Tobacco Cessation Services.
Section 144.412 — Public Policy.
Section 144.413 — Definitions.
Section 144.414 — Prohibitions.
Section 144.416 — Responsibilities Of Proprietors.
Section 144.4165 — Tobacco Products Prohibited In Public Schools.
Section 144.4167 — Permitted Smoking.
Section 144.417 — Commissioner Of Health, Enforcement, Penalties.
Section 144.4172 — Definitions.
Section 144.4173 — Cause Of Action.
Section 144.4176 — Petition; Notice.
Section 144.4177 — Time Of Hearing And Duties Of Counsel.
Section 144.4178 — Criminal Immunity.
Section 144.4179 — Standard Of Proof; Evidence.
Section 144.4182 — Temporary Emergency Hold.
Section 144.4183 — Emergency Hold Hearing.
Section 144.4184 — Contact Data.
Section 144.4186 — Data Privacy.
Section 144.419 — Isolation And Quarantine Of Persons.
Section 144.4195 — Due Process For Isolation Or Quarantine Of Persons.
Section 144.4196 — Employee Protection.
Section 144.4197 — Emergency Vaccine Administration; Legend Drug.
Section 144.4198 — Mass Dispensing Under Authority Of Commissioner Of Health.
Section 144.4199 — Public Health Response Contingency Account.
Section 144.441 — Tuberculosis Screening In Schools.
Section 144.442 — Testing In School Clinics.
Section 144.445 — Tuberculosis Screening In Correctional Institutions.
Section 144.4803 — Definitions.
Section 144.4804 — Reporting Relating To Tuberculosis.
Section 144.4805 — Health Order; Rights Of Carrier And Respondent.
Section 144.4806 — Preventive Measures Under Health Order.
Section 144.4807 — Notice Of Obligation To Isolate Or Examine.
Section 144.4808 — Apprehend And Hold Order.
Section 144.4809 — Preliminary Hearing.
Section 144.4810 — Final Hearing.
Section 144.4811 — Periodic Review And Release From Detention.
Section 144.4812 — Costs Of Care.
Section 144.4813 — Data Privacy.
Section 144.49 — Violations; Penalties.
Section 144.492 — Definitions.
Section 144.494 — Designating Stroke Centers And Stroke Hospitals.
Section 144.4941 — St Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (stemi) Receiving Centers.
Section 144.495 — Formaldehyde Rules.
Section 144.496 — Minnesota Radon Awareness Act.
Section 144.4961 — Minnesota Radon Licensing Act.
Section 144.497 — St Elevation Myocardial Infarction.
Section 144.50 — Hospitals, Licenses; Definitions.
Section 144.51 — License Applications.
Section 144.55 — Licenses; Issuance, Suspension And Revocation.
Section 144.5509 — Radiation Therapy Facility Construction.
Section 144.551 — Hospital Construction Moratorium.
Section 144.552 — Public Interest Review.
Section 144.553 — Alternative Approval Process.
Section 144.554 — Health Facilities Construction Plan Submittal And Fees.
Section 144.561 — Description Of Certain Medical Facilities.
Section 144.562 — Swing Bed Approval; Issuance Of License Conditions.
Section 144.563 — Nursing Services Provided In A Hospital; Prohibited Practices.
Section 144.564 — Monitoring Of Subacute Or Transitional Care Services.
Section 144.565 — Diagnostic Imaging Facilities.
Section 144.566 — Violence Against Health Care Workers.
Section 144.572 — Institutions Excepted.
Section 144.573 — Pets In Certain Institutions.
Section 144.574 — Dangers Of Shaking Infants And Young Children.
Section 144.58 — Information, Confidential.
Section 144.581 — Hospital Authorities.
Section 144.585 — Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Control Programs.
Section 144.586 — Requirements For Certain Notices And Discharge Planning.
Section 144.591 — Disclosure Of Hospital Charges.
Section 144.602 — Definitions.
Section 144.603 — Statewide Trauma System Criteria.
Section 144.604 — Trauma Triage And Transportation.
Section 144.605 — Designating Trauma Hospitals.
Section 144.606 — Interhospital Transfers.
Section 144.6062 — Comprehensive Advanced Life Support.
Section 144.6071 — Trauma Registry.
Section 144.608 — Trauma Advisory Council.
Section 144.611 — Captioning Required.
Section 144.615 — Birth Centers.
Section 144.6501 — Nursing Home Admission Contracts.
Section 144.6502 — Electronic Monitoring In Certain Facilities.
Section 144.6503 — Facilities For Alzheimer's Disease Or Related Disorder.
Section 144.6505 — Subacute Care Waivers.
Section 144.651 — Health Care Bill Of Rights.
Section 144.6512 — Retaliation In Nursing Homes Prohibited.
Section 144.652 — Bill Of Rights Notice To Patient Or Resident; Violation.
Section 144.6521 — Disclosure Of Financial Interest.
Section 144.6522 — Designation Of A Caregiver.
Section 144.653 — Rules; Periodic Inspections; Enforcement.
Section 144.6535 — Variance Or Waiver.
Section 144.654 — Experts May Be Employed.
Section 144.655 — Program For Voluntary Medical Aid.
Section 144.656 — Employees To Be Compensated.
Section 144.657 — Volunteer Efforts Encouraged.
Section 144.658 — Epidemiologic Data Discovery.
Section 144.6581 — Determination Of Whether Data Identifies Individuals.
Section 144.6585 — Identification Of Health Care Providers.
Section 144.6586 — Notice Of Rights To Sexual Assault Victim.
Section 144.661 — Definitions.
Section 144.662 — Traumatic Brain Injury And Spinal Cord Injury Registry.
Section 144.663 — Duty To Report.
Section 144.664 — Duties Of Commissioner.
Section 144.665 — Traumatic Brain Injury And Spinal Cord Injury Data.
Section 144.671 — Cancer Surveillance System; Purpose.
Section 144.672 — Duties Of Commissioner; Rules.
Section 144.68 — Records And Reports Required.
Section 144.69 — Classification Of Data On Individuals.
Section 144.691 — Grievance Procedures.
Section 144.696 — Definitions.
Section 144.697 — General Powers And Duties Of State Commissioner Of Health.
Section 144.698 — Reporting Requirements.
Section 144.699 — Continuing Analysis.
Section 144.70 — Biennial Report.
Section 144.701 — Rate Disclosure.
Section 144.702 — Hospital And Outpatient Surgical Center Costs.
Section 144.7022 — Reporting Organizations; Penalty Orders.
Section 144.703 — Additional Powers.
Section 144.7055 — Staffing Plan Reports.
Section 144.7063 — Definitions.
Section 144.7065 — Facility Requirements To Report, Analyze, And Correct.
Section 144.7067 — Commissioner Duties And Responsibilities.
Section 144.7068 — Reports From Licensing Boards.
Section 144.7069 — Interstate Coordination; Reports.
Section 144.71 — Purpose; Definitions.
Section 144.73 — State Commissioner Of Health, Duties.
Section 144.74 — Rules, Standards.
Section 144.7401 — Definitions.
Section 144.7402 — Conditions For Applicability Of Procedures.
Section 144.7403 — Information Required To Be Given To Individuals.
Section 144.7404 — Disclosure Of Positive Blood-borne Pathogen Test Results.
Section 144.7405 — Consent Procedures Generally.
Section 144.7406 — Testing Of Available Blood.
Section 144.7407 — Blood Sample Collection For Testing.
Section 144.7408 — No Discrimination.
Section 144.7409 — Use Of Test Results.
Section 144.7411 — Test Information Confidentiality.
Section 144.7412 — Penalty For Unauthorized Release Of Information.
Section 144.7413 — Responsibility For Testing And Treatment; Costs.
Section 144.7414 — Protocols For Exposure To Blood-borne Pathogens.
Section 144.7415 — Penalties And Immunity.
Section 144.84 — Civil Service Classification.
Section 144.91 — Powers And Duties.
Section 144.92 — Grants Or Gifts.
Section 144.945 — Zika Preparedness And Response.
Section 144.95 — Mosquito Research Program.
Section 144.9501 — Definitions.
Section 144.9502 — Statewide Lead Surveillance System.
Section 144.9503 — Primary Prevention.
Section 144.9504 — Secondary Prevention.
Section 144.9505 — Credentialing Of Lead Firms And Professionals.
Section 144.9507 — Lead-related Funding.
Section 144.9509 — Enforcement.
Section 144.9512 — Lead Abatement Program.
Section 144.9513 — Healthy Housing Grants.
Section 144.966 — Early Hearing Detection And Intervention Program.
Section 144.98 — Accreditation Of Environmental Laboratories.
Section 144.989 — Title; Citation.
Section 144.991 — Administrative Penalty Order Procedure.
Section 144.992 — False Information.
Section 144.993 — Recovery Of Litigation Costs And Expenses.
Section 144.995 — Definitions; Environmental Health Tracking And Biomonitoring.
Section 144.996 — Environmental Health Tracking; Biomonitoring.
Section 144.997 — Biomonitoring Pilot Program.
Section 144.998 — Environmental Health Tracking And Biomonitoring Advisory Panel.