SECTION 1. Chapter 118E of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following new section:-

Section 80. The division shall establish a community health center nurse practitioner residency program for the purposes of recruiting and retaining nurse practitioners at community health centers in order to increase access to high-quality community-based primary, preventative and integrated care.

These programs shall:

(i) Provide a 24-month post-graduate residency program, administered by community health centers, defined as community health centers receiving a grant under 42 USC 254b, for certified nurse practitioners who have graduated from an accredited school of nursing within the past three years;

(ii) Provide nurse practitioners in the program with patient panels under the supervision and mentorship of a physician or other advanced practice registered nurse at a community health center; and

(iii) Require nurse practitioners that participate in the 24-month residency program enter into a contract with the community health center for at least eighteen months of employment.

Nothing in this section shall be interpreted to conflict with, replace, or supersede any licensure requirements or standards for the advanced nursing practice established pursuant to chapters 94C or 112.

SECTION 2. The division shall make expenditures of no less than $2,500,000 annually to this program and shall seek federal Medicaid reimbursement for this program as graduate medical education.

SECTION 3. The division shall promulgate regulations to implement said program, including program details and grant guidelines as necessary, no later than six months after the passage of this act.