All Roll Calls
Yes: 260 • No: 37
New JerseyA2801220th Legislature (2024-2025)HouseWALLET
Renames, extends eligibility, and makes various other changes to Primary Care Practitioner Loan Redemption Program.
Sponsored By: Conaway, Herb, Louis D. Greenwald (Democratic), Gordon M. Johnson (Democratic), Eliana Pintor Marin (Democratic), Robert W. Singer (Republican)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.
Loan relief for health care professionals
The program pays qualifying education-loan principal and interest, including loans for tuition and reasonable education and living costs. Payments equal 18% of eligible debt after year one, 26% after year two, and 28% after each remaining year. Total relief is capped at $200,000 or the higher federal maximum, subject to available funding. Sites designated as both state underserved areas and federal shortage areas can draw matching funds for up to four years. Sites outside federal shortage areas rely on state funds. After two full-time years, participants can earn proportional credit through part-time service in a state-designated underserved area, with agency and employer approval. Total credit cannot exceed four full-time years; otherwise, service shorter than a full year earns no benefit.
Leaving loan relief early triggers repayment
Participants can end their agreement by giving written notice to the student aid authority. They take responsibility for their remaining loan balance. Those leaving before completing two full years must repay 50% of debt already paid by the program within one year. A service period shorter than a full calendar year earns no program benefit.
More clinics qualify for loan-relief placements
Beginning July 1, 2026, approved-site routes include designated shortage areas, Rutgers dental network clinics, and other sites serving underserved populations. Sites participate in Medicare and Medicaid, but need not join more than one Medicaid managed-care organization. In counties below 30% Medicaid enrollment, the underserved-patient service rate must at least equal the county enrollment percentage. In counties at or above 30%, the service rate must reach 80% of that percentage. Sites offer sliding fees to uninsured or underinsured patients at or below 250% of the federal poverty level and cannot discriminate based on payment. A site missing the service-rate threshold can qualify by meeting the remaining standards and accepting and serving new Medicaid patients. The student aid authority cannot add eligibility requirements and must help applicants find sites; applicants can suggest sites without guaranteed approval.
Clinicians cannot combine these debt-aid programs
Participants cannot join New Jersey's loan redemption program while participating in the federal National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program. Beginning July 1, 2026, participants in either loan program also cannot receive New Jersey psychiatrist tuition reimbursement at the same time.
Clinicians face service and patient-care rules
Participants must commit to at least two years of full-time clinical work at an approved site. Their first six months are probation: no loan payment is made, but the time counts toward year one. Participants must maintain New Jersey residency, their professional license or certification, current loan payments, and satisfactory service under a site contract. They must report service before annual loan relief is paid; Rutgers dental clinic participants also meet dental school standards. Participants charge usual rates but must allow reduced-cost or free care for patients unable to pay. They cannot discriminate based on ability to pay or payment source, or charge Medicare patients above the federal fee limit.
More clinicians qualify, but selection has priorities
The renamed Health Care Professional Loan Redemption Program covers primary care practitioners, psychiatrists, and other designated health professionals. Applicants must live in New Jersey and agree to work at an approved site. Beginning July 1, 2026, the Health Commissioner can add fields with critical statewide shortages after consulting labor and licensing officials. When money or sites are limited, applicants already employed or offered work at an approved site get first priority. Other priorities include shortage severity, past underserved-area residence, qualifying community or hospital practices, and New Jersey schooling or medical residency. Qualifying practices provide comprehensive pediatric, behavioral health, preventive, or primary care; equal-priority applicants are chosen randomly.
Students get clearer loan-relief program information
The student aid authority must work with New Jersey health-professional schools to share program information when students enroll. State health officials rank underserved areas using financial resources, insurance coverage, access, staffing, and health disparities. By January 1 each year, officials send the authority designated areas, needed positions, and county Medicaid enrollment percentages. The authority must publish program areas, positions, enrollment percentages, and related criteria annually. Annual reports track participants, debt payments, demographics, specialties, employers, schools, average awards, five-year averages, retention, and workforce needs. The law also repeals an earlier program section on July 1, 2026; the supplied text does not explain its effect. Most changes begin July 1, 2026; sections 4 and 5(a)–(b) took effect upon approval on January 20, 2026.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Conaway, Herb
Affiliation unavailable
Louis D. Greenwald
Democratic • House
Gordon M. Johnson
Democratic • Senate
Eliana Pintor Marin
Democratic • House
Robert W. Singer
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Margie Donlon M.D.
Democratic • House
Roy Freiman
Democratic • House
Shama A. Haider
Democratic • House
Lampitt, Pamela R.
Affiliation unavailable
Yvonne Lopez
Democratic • House
Tennille R. McCoy
Democratic • House
Cody D. Miller
Democratic • House
Mu�oz, Nancy F.
Affiliation unavailable
Ellen J. Park
Democratic • House
Luanne M. Peterpaul Esq.
Democratic • House
Verlina Reynolds-Jackson
Democratic • House
Gabriel Rodriguez
Democratic • House
William B. Sampson IV
Democratic • House
Shanique Speight
Democratic • House
Sterley S. Stanley
Democratic • House
Chris Tully
Democratic • House
Benjie E. Wimberly
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 1/12/2026
CONCUR GOV REC
Yes: 36 • No: 3
House vote • 1/12/2026
CONCUR GOV REC
Yes: 60 • No: 11
House vote • 12/22/2025
CONCUR IN SA
Yes: 62 • No: 11
Senate vote • 12/18/2025
3RDG FINAL PASSAGE
Yes: 36 • No: 2
House vote • 10/28/2024
3RDG FINAL PASSAGE
Yes: 66 • No: 10 • Other: 1
Actions Timeline
Approved by Governor — P.L.2025, c.345.
1/20/2026GovernorPassed Senate, PBH — (36-3)
1/12/2026SenateReceived in Senate, 2RSG
1/12/2026SenatePassed Assembly — (60-11-0)
1/12/2026HouseConditional Veto, Received in Assembly, 2RAG
1/12/2026HousePassed Assembly, PBH — (62-11-0)
12/22/2025HouseReceived in Assembly, 2RAC
12/18/2025HousePassed Senate — (36-2)
12/18/2025SenateSubstituted for S780 (1R)
12/18/2025SenateReported, 2nd Reading in Senate
12/8/2025SenateReferred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee
2/10/2025SenateREP/SCA, 2nd Reading in Senate
2/10/2025SenateReceived in Senate, Referred to Senate Higher Education Committee
12/5/2024SenatePassed Assembly — (66-10-1)
10/28/2024HouseREP/ACA, 2nd Reading in Assembly
9/23/2024HouseReported, Referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee
2/22/2024HouseIntroduced, 1st Reading in Assembly, Referred to Assembly Higher Education Committee
1/9/2024House
Bill Text
Version PL2025
7/1/2026
Version AL2025
6/24/2026
Conditional Veto 3R
1/13/2026
Conditional Veto
1/12/2026
Senate Higher Education (2/10/25 2R)
12/19/2025
Senate Budget and Appropriations Substitute (12/8/25 2R)
12/9/2025
12/5/25; 2R
12/5/2025
Senate Higher Education Substitute (2/10/25 1R)
2/11/2025
Assembly Appropriations (9/23/24 1R)
10/29/2024
10/01/24; 1R
10/1/2024
Assembly Appropriations Substitute (9/23/24)
9/24/2024
Assembly Higher Education (2/22/24 TR)
5/3/2024
As Introduced
2/23/2024
Assembly Higher Education Substitute (2/22/24)
2/23/2024
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