HB45 Alabama 2019 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: April WeaverSenator
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2019
Title: Nursing, Board of, loan repayment program for advanced-practice nurses, loan program authorized for certain currently certified nurses, Sec. 34-21-96 am'd.
Summary: The bill lets Alabama's Board of Nursing lend money to currently certified advanced-practice nurses (CRNPs, CNMs, CRNAs) who agree to work in medically underserved areas, and expands eligibility to recent graduates pursuing those specialties.
What This Bill Does
It authorizes the Board of Nursing to provide loans to currently certified APRNs who contract to practice in medically underserved areas. It preserves existing loan terms for those pursuing or holding master's or doctoral degrees (up to 3 years for a master's, up to 4 years for a doctorate, with a maximum of $15,000 per year, adjustable annually based on in-state graduate tuition). Recipients must sign contracts to repay by working full-time in a designated area of need for 18 months for each year of the loan, and may change areas with board approval but must spend at least 3 years in the new area. The program may also be used by students or graduates who pursued or completed the relevant graduate degree within the last five years. The bill requires the board to carefully evaluate applicants' qualifications and allows some timing flexibility in selecting areas of need.

Who It Affects
Advanced-practice nurses who are currently certified (CRNPs, CNMs, CRNAs) and who contract with the Board to work in medically underserved areas, making them eligible for loan support.
Nursing students or graduates pursuing a graduate degree to become CRNPs, CNMs, or CRNAs (within five years of completing the degree) who sign contracts to work in underserved areas and may receive loan assistance.

Key Provisions
The Board of Nursing may provide advanced-practice nursing loans to currently certified CRNPs, CNMs, and CRNAs who contract to practice in medically underserved areas.
The program may also cover nurses who have recently completed a graduate degree and will immediately practice in underserved areas, as long as they sign the required contract.
Annual loan amounts may be up to $15,000, with a total of up to 3 years for master's degree holders and up to 4 years for doctorate holders; the maximum can be increased in future years based on changes in in-state tuition for graduate APN programs in Alabama.
Recipients must repay the loan by working full-time in an area of critical need for 18 months for each year of the loan.
Participants may change their area of critical need with board approval, but must complete at least 3 years of work in the new area.
The board must carefully review each applicant's ability, character, and qualifications before granting loans.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Nursing, Board of