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Bill

A 1859

Relates to the non-therapeutic use of antimicrobial agents in animals

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jenifer Rajkumar

Creates a Pathway to Nursing Scholarship Program awarding 100 NJ residents $10,000 each to pursue nursing, funded by $1M, to grow the nursing workforce.

REFERRED TO AGRICULTURE
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Bill Summary · A 1859

Summary of Bill A 1859 (Pathway to Nursing Scholarship Program Act)

Note: The bill information provided lists a title about the non-therapeutic use of antimicrobial agents in animals, but the introduced version text pertains to establishing a nursing scholarship program. The summary below focuses on the introduced nursing scholarship content as described.

Overview

  • Bill Number: A 1859
  • Title (as introduced): Pathway to Nursing Scholarship Program Act
  • Purpose: Establish a state-administered scholarship program to address New Jersey’s nursing workforce shortage by encouraging current healthcare workers to pursue nursing education.
  • Status: Introduced January 9, 2024; referred to Assembly committees (initially Higher Education) and later listed as referred to Agriculture in 2025 documents.
  • Primary Sponsor: Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar
  • Related companion: S 1554

Key Provisions

  • Program Establishment

    • Creates the Pathway to Nursing Scholarship Program, administered by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) in consultation with the New Jersey Board of Nursing.
    • Purpose: Provide financial incentives to help expand the state’s nursing workforce.

  • Definitions

    • Approved course of study: Undergraduate program leading to an associate’s or bachelor’s degree or a Board of Nursing-accredited certificate.
    • Authority: HESAA.
    • School of professional nursing: New Jersey-based school offering nursing instruction (not more than four years beyond high school) affiliated with a hospital and Board of Nursing-accredited.

  • Eligibility Criteria (participants)

    • Must be a New Jersey resident and maintain domicile during participation.
    • Must currently work in or have previously worked in the healthcare industry.
    • Must be enrolled in an approved nursing program (at an institution of higher education or a school of professional nursing).
    • Must submit a written commitment to work as a nurse upon completion of the program.

  • Scholarship Details

    • HESAA shall award 100 scholarships.
    • Amount: $10,000 per scholarship.
    • Eligible recipients must maintain good standing in their nursing program to receive and retain the award.

  • Funding

    • $1,000,000 appropriation from the General Fund to HESAA to implement the act’s purposes.

  • Effective Date

    • Act takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Healthcare workers currently or previously employed in the healthcare sector who are NJ residents and pursue nursing education.
  • Students enrolled in approved nursing programs (colleges, universities, or schools of professional nursing) in New Jersey.
  • Institutions of higher education and schools of professional nursing in New Jersey.
  • HESAA and the New Jersey Board of Nursing, which would administer and consult on the program.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Legislative Path
    • Introduced in the Assembly on January 9, 2024; assigned to Assembly Higher Education (committee).
    • The bill’s status appears later as “referred to Agriculture” in January 2025 records, indicating a committee assignment or procedural movement within the legislature.
  • Implementation Timeline
    • The act envisions the program’s development by HESAA in consultation with the Board of Nursing, followed by awarding 100 scholarships in a single initial allocation, contingent on continued eligibility.
    • Immediate fiscal effect is anticipated via the $1,000,000 General Fund appropriation.

Fiscal Implications

  • One-time appropriation of $1,000,000 to HESAA to fund 100 scholarships at $10,000 each.
  • Ongoing cost implications depend on the existence of additional future funding or amendments.

Additional Context

  • Related bills: S 1554 (companion) and A 3239 (prior-session).
  • The bill’s stated aim is to strengthen nursing capacity within New Jersey by incentivizing workforce entrants to pursue nursing education, ultimately supporting healthcare access and quality for residents.

If you’d like, I can add a side-by-side comparison with the antimicrobial agents in animals title you mentioned, or expand on potential policy implications and stakeholder considerations.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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