An Act establishing a community health center nurse practitioner residency program

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mike Barrett and 3 co-sponsors

Establish a 24-month NP residency at CHCs to train and employ new nurse practitioners, expanding access to primary and preventive care.

Overview and intent

Purpose: Establish a dedicated nurse practitioner (NP) residency program at community health centers (CHCs) to recruit and retain NPs and to expand access to high-quality, community-based primary, preventive, and integrated care.

Targeted impact: Increase the pipeline of NPs in CHCs and strengthen primary care access for patients served by CHCs.

Key provisions

Section 83 — Creation and scope of the residency program

Establishes a 24-month post-graduate NP residency program to be administered by CHCs.

Eligible participants: Certified nurse practitioners who have graduated from an accredited school of nursing within the past three years.

CHCs eligible to administer the program must be CHCs receiving a federal grant under 42 U.S.C. 254b.

Training structure: NPs will manage patient panels under the supervision and mentorship of a physician or another advanced practice registered nurse at a CHC.

Employment commitment: Participants must sign a contract with the CHC obligating at least 18 months of employment with the center after or during the residency.

Licensure and standards

The program is not intended to conflict with, replace, or supersede existing licensure requirements or standards for advanced nursing practice established under chapters 94C or 112 of the General Laws.

Section 2 — Funding

The Division shall expend at least $2,500,000 annually to support the program.

The Division shall pursue federal Medicaid reimbursement for the program as graduate medical education.

Section 3 — Regulation and implementation

The Division shall promulgate regulations to implement the program, including details of the program and grant guidelines.

Regulations to be in place no later than six months after the act’s passage.

Who is affected

Nurse practitioners who recently completed accredited NP programs (within the last three years) and seeking post-graduate residency.

Community health centers, specifically those receiving federal 254b grants, which would administer the residencies.

Consumers/patients served by CHCs, particularly those relying on primary and preventive care.

Payers, including Medicaid, through potential graduate medical education reimbursements.

Timeline and process

Residency duration: 24 months for participating NPs.

Employment commitment: At least 18 months of employment with the CHC post-residency.

Funding: Minimum annual appropriation of $2.5 million to support the program.

Regulatory implementation: Regulations and grant guidelines to be established within six months after passage.

Status and legislative context

Bill number: SD 953 (Senate Docket No. 953).

Filed/introduced: January 15, 2025 (per the bill text). Status is not provided in the document excerpt.

Sponsorship: Led by Senator John F. Keenan and several co-sponsors, as listed in the bill text.

Note: This summary reflects the provisions as written in the bill text and does not include potential amendments or status updates that may occur during legislative consideration.

Bill