THE Senate has passed a bill that would allow nursing scholarship recipients to work in the private sector upon completion of their nursing education.
Authored by Senate Vice President Justo S. Quitugua, S.B. 22-77 proposes to amend 3 CMC §§ 1611(c)(4) and (5) and 1612(a).
The legislation states that there is a shortage of qualified nurses in the CNMI public and private sectors, but noted that more patients are visiting private health clinics for their healthcare needs and treatment.
According to the bill, it is necessary to allow nursing school scholarship recipients to choose to work in the public or private sector upon completion of their nursing education “to alleviate some of the workload at public clinics, and to assist private clinics providing more healthcare services to CNMI residents.”
Current CNMI law does not permit such recipients to train and work in private health clinics.
S.B. 22-77 was introduced on June 15, 2022, and referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, and Welfare for review.
All eight members present for the full Senate session voted in favor of the legislation. Senate Floor Leader Vinnie F. Sablan was absent.
The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for action.
Justo Quitugua
