88R7406 MPF-D     By: Guerra H.B. No. 2167       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a plan by the Department of State Health Services to   establish and improve tuition reimbursement and student loan   repayment programs for health care professionals serving border   communities.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  PLAN FOR ESTABLISHING AND IMPROVING TUITION   REIMBURSEMENT AND STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAMS FOR HEALTH CARE   PROFESSIONALS IN BORDER COMMUNITIES. (a) The Department of State   Health Services, in consultation with the Texas Higher Education   Coordinating Board, shall develop and adopt a plan to establish new   and improve existing tuition reimbursement programs and programs   providing assistance with the repayment of student loans for   eligible health care professionals who are serving in communities   near and along the international border of this state with the   United Mexican States.          (b)  The plan developed under this section must:                (1)  require a health care professional to commit to   full-time employment as a health care professional in the   communities near and along the international border of this state   with the United Mexican States for a specified time to be eligible   for participation in the tuition reimbursement and student loan   repayment programs; and                (2)  give preference for participation in the programs   to health care professionals who live in those communities.          SECTION 2.  SUBMISSION TO LEGISLATURE. Not later than   September 1, 2024, the Department of State Health Services shall   submit to the legislature the plan developed under Section 1 of this   Act and the estimated cost to this state of implementing the plan.          SECTION 3.  EXPIRATION. This Act expires January 1, 2025.          SECTION 4.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  This Act takes effect   immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members   elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas   Constitution.  If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for   immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2023.