An Act promoting workforce development and provider retention at community health centers

This bill creates a state-funded residency program designed to help community health centers recruit and keep nurse practitioners. The program offers a 24-month training period where new nurse practitioners work with patient panels under the supervision of experienced physicians or advanced practice nurses. In exchange for this training, participants must sign a contract to work at the center for at least 18 months after completing the residency. The state will provide at least $2.5 million annually to fund these positions and will also seek federal reimbursement to cover the costs as graduate medical education.