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Bill

HB 2544

Relating to student loan repayment assistance for certain nurses employed by a long-term care facility.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Tom Oliverson and 1 co-sponsor

Texas bill would create student loan repayment assistance for nurses employed at long-term care facilities to address workforce shortages.

Referred to Higher Education
#education--higher--institutions&programs(i0223) #education--higher--studentfinancialaid(i0235) #highereducationcoordinatingboard #texas(v4280) #healthcareproviders(i0387) #long-termcare(s0417) #nurses&nurseaides(s2704) #studentloans(s0036)
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Bill Summary · HB 2544

Legislative bill overview

HB 2544 would establish a student loan repayment assistance program for nurses working in long-term care facilities in Texas. The bill aims to address workforce shortages in nursing homes by offering financial incentives to attract and retain qualified nursing staff through direct assistance with their educational debt.

Why is this important

Long-term care facilities face persistent nursing shortages that impact quality of care for elderly and disabled residents. Student loan debt is a documented barrier to recruiting nurses into lower-paid long-term care settings, where salaries are typically below hospital positions. This program could improve facility staffing levels while helping nurses manage significant educational debt.

Potential points of contention

  • Program cost and funding source: No details provided on how the state would fund repayment assistance or whether it's limited to a specific budget
  • Eligibility scope: Unclear whether the program covers all nurses, specific credential levels (RN vs. LPN), or has tenure/service requirements
  • Geographic or facility limitations: Unknown if assistance applies statewide or only certain facility types, potentially creating equity issues
  • Accountability measures: No specified criteria for measuring program effectiveness or ensuring participating facilities improve retention rates

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

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