House Local Bill 16-36 became Saipan Local Law 16-11 on Feb. 12.
According to the proponents of the bill, some locals who are enrolled in a trade-type institution should also be given financial assistance through SHEFA.
“The delegation is aware that in addition to traditional trades, many in our community would also like to pursue careers in other fields, particularly nursing where there is hope that qualified nurses can find rewarding work and competitive wages in the commonwealth’s hospital and clinics,” they said.
“The purpose of this act is to clearly and expressly permit financial assistance to those who have chosen to pursue a career in nursing and other related medical occupations,” they added.
The new law amended SHEFA’s mandates to include those students who have not obtained a high school diploma or its equivalent and are enrolled in a trades-type institution like the Northern Marianas Trades Institute.
It also revised the definition of a resident as a person who is a U.S. citizen or a U.S. permanent resident who has resided on Saipan for at least a year before applying for SHEFA financial assistance.
“The residency requirement may be met by proof of a parent residing on Saipan for the requisite period,” S.L.L. 16-11 reads.
Early this month, the governor signed into law a local bill appropriating $3 million to SHEFA.
Apart from appropriations for scholarships of Saipan students, SHEFA will also get $100,000 for its operations this fiscal year 2010.
“After assessing the various appropriations, priority was given to education, youth programs, and matters addressing the health and safety of our community. Inclusion of the other appropriations would exceed the projected collections for fiscal year 2010,” the governor said in his message to the Legislature appropriating money for different Saipan programs and projects that include SHEFA.
