Bill
S 3495
New Jersey will redeem portions of qualifying student loans for reproductive health care professionals at approved sites, up to 200k per person, funded by 5M.
Overview
- Purpose: Establish a loan redemption program to attract and retain reproductive health care professionals in New Jersey by redeeming portions of qualifying student loans in exchange for service at approved reproductive health care sites.
- Enactment: Signed into law as Chapter 262; effective immediately.
Key Provisions
- Program Administration: Created within the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA). The Executive Director of HESAA (or designee) administers the program, with rules adopted under the Administrative Procedure Act.
- Definitions: The act provides specific definitions for abortion, approved site, eligible reproductive health care professional, program, program participant, qualifying student loan amounts, reproductive health care services, and related terms.
- Approved Sites: Reproductive health care sites approved in consultation with the Department of Health. Sites may include nonprofit organizations, hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices, and other facilities providing reproductive health care services, including abortions.
- Eligibility: Applicants must be state residents, employed as an eligible reproductive health care professional at an approved site, and submit an application determined by the executive director.
- Priority: Preference given to applicants in counties with a shortage of reproductive health care professionals.
- Contractual Commitment: Participants sign a written contract with HESAA detailing the service duration and the total amount of qualified student loans to be redeemed.
- Redemption Schedule:
- 18% redeemed for one full year of service
- 26% for a second full year
- 28% for a third full year
- 28% for a fourth full year
- Cumulative redemption cannot exceed $200,000 per participant
- Service must be in full-year increments; partial-year service is not redeemed
- Service Commencement: Redemption period begins on or after enactment.
- Termination/Hardship: Participants may withdraw by written notification and repay the full loan amounts; death or total and permanent disability nullifies the service obligation; the Authority may suspend or nullify obligations in cases of extreme hardship.
- Incompatibility with Other Programs: Participants cannot simultaneously participate in other federal or state loan redemption programs administered by HESAA (e.g., National Health Service Corps).
- Funding: $5,000,000 appropriated from the General Fund to HESAA to implement the act.
- Effective Date: Immediate upon enactment.
Scope and Impact
- Targeted Impact: Aims to expand access to reproductive health care by increasing the number of providers, especially in counties with shortages, thereby reducing geographic barriers to abortion and related services.
- Financial Scale: Up to $200,000 per participant in loan redemption, funded by a $5 million appropriation.
- Workforce Implications: Encourages graduates with substantial student debt to pursue or remain in reproductive health care practice within New Jersey.
Legislative History and Sponsorship
- Introduced: June 24, 2024
- Sponsors: Senate sponsor Thomas F. O’Mara (primary); companion bills include A 4660 and A 6659; related S 5610 from prior session.
- Status: Passed both houses in 2025; signed into law as Chapter 262; Delivered to the Governor in August 2025.
Note: The bill text provided focuses on the Reproductive Health Care Professional Loan Redemption Program rather than mortgage tax provisions.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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