PRIA Logo™
MarylandHB 00192025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Health Occupations - Nursing - Loan Repayment, Education, and Sunset Extension (Building Opportunities for Nurses Act of 2025)

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

Health OccupationsCommittees and CommissionsEducation -see also- ContEd; DrvEd; HigherEd; etc.Health -see also- COVID19; EnvHlth; MedCon; etc.Health, Department ofJob Training -see also- Continuing Ed; Vocational RehabLicenses -see also- AB Lic; Certifications; DrLic; PermitsLoans -see also- Credit; Mortgages; Scholarships&SFAMedical SchoolsNurses -see also- Nurse Practitioners; Nursing AssistantsNursing AssistantsReportsScholarships and Student Financial AidSunsetTax CreditsWork, Labor, and Employment -see also- JobTrn; Leave; etc.

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

More loan help for nursing workers

Maryland expands education loan help for nurses and nursing support staff, including qualifying nonprofit and State or local government workers. For-profit workers qualify in Maryland areas with a Department-identified workforce shortage or public health need. Applicants must work in an eligible field or meet other Department requirements. A separate shortage-specialty route requires a commitment to practice locally for a Department-set period. Funding goes first to core eligible applicants, then primary care workers in shortage areas, then workers in other shortage specialties. Help depends on available Fund money; regulations set yearly participant caps and minimum and maximum payments by priority area.

Lower training hours for clinician tax credits

Eligible clinicians who supervise clinical training can qualify for preceptor tax credits with fewer hours per rotation. The minimum falls from 100 to 90 hours of community-based clinical training in each of at least three rotations. Clinicians must serve without pay in a Board-approved program and work in a designated Maryland health care workforce shortage area. The credits cover qualifying physicians, nurse practitioners, licensed practical nurses, advanced practice registered nurses, and registered nurses. A tax-credit certificate sets the credit amount for the tax year served; this provision sets no dollar amount.

New education routes and nursing license limits

Initial registered nurse applicants need a Board-approved entry-level program; specified degree-completion programs do not count. Out-of-state and foreign programs must be found substantially equivalent by the Board. Applicants seeking licensure by endorsement have another route when they cannot provide the required proof of program equivalence. They need an associate or bachelor's degree in registered nursing from an appropriately accredited, state-approved institution. They must also complete direct patient-care hours set by Board rules; the law does not specify the number.

Nursing assistants get certification transition guidance

Beginning April 1, 2026, certified nursing assistant–II holders have a pathway to nursing assistant–I certification. They must apply to the Board and show approved training and a passed competency evaluation. The relevant certification-status date moves from September 30, 2025, to March 31, 2026. By January 1, 2026, the Board must notify nursing assistant certificate holders about the law's requirements. It must also update its rules in consultation with the Office of Health Care Quality.

Nursing oversight and related provisions last longer

Effective June 1, 2025, the law extends specified nursing oversight and related provisions previously ending in 2025 to 2030. Specified nursing subtitles and related rules remain effective until after July 1, 2030, subject to state evaluation and reestablishment. The affected 2016 Act remains effective for 14 years and expires June 30, 2030. Section 2 of the affected 2022 Act applies to tax years beginning after December 31, 2021, and before January 1, 2030. These extensions do not specify individual tax benefit amounts.

Nursing Board gains infrastructure spending flexibility

The law removes the ban on using Board of Nursing Fund money for infrastructure operations. Spending must still cover actual, documented direct and indirect costs of carrying out the Board's duties. This spending change creates no personal payment obligation for households.

Nursing assistant training sites lose deadline

Beginning April 1, 2026, the Board no longer faces a 45-day deadline to approve reuse of previously approved training sites. Nursing assistant training programs also lose permission to operate at those sites while approval is pending. The law sets no replacement approval deadline.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 316 • No: 3

House vote • 4/7/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 135 • No: 2 • Other: 3

Senate vote • 4/4/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 44 • No: 0 • Other: 1

House vote • 3/17/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 137 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 416

    5/6/2025

  2. Passed Enrolled

    4/7/2025House

  3. Third Reading Passed (135-2)

    4/7/2025House

  4. House Concurs Senate Amendments

    4/7/2025House

  5. Third Reading Passed (44-0)

    4/4/2025Senate

  6. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    4/4/2025Senate

  7. Favorable with Amendments {223722/1 Adopted

    4/4/2025Senate

  8. Favorable with Amendments Report by Finance

    4/4/2025Senate

  9. Referred Finance

    3/17/2025Senate

  10. Third Reading Passed (137-1)

    3/17/2025House

  11. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    3/15/2025House

  12. Favorable with Amendments {373725/1 Adopted

    3/15/2025House

  13. Favorable with Amendments Report by Health and Government Operations

    3/15/2025House

  14. Hearing 1/28 at 2:00 p.m.

    1/8/2025House

  15. First Reading Health and Government Operations

    1/8/2025House

  16. Pre-filed

    10/9/2024House

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    5/6/2025

    PDF

  • Enrolled

    4/7/2025

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    3/15/2025

    PDF

  • First Reading

    1/8/2025

    PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation