A. The board of commissioners of each hospital or hospital service district, hereinafter referred to as the board or the board of commissioners, is authorized to establish and administer a scholarship program for the purpose of increasing the educational opportunities available to nursing and allied health students who will practice in an area of the hospital district approved by the board of commissioners. Each board which establishes a program may award scholarships to individuals who are admitted or engaged in the study of nursing or allied health at an accredited school of nursing or allied health and who contract to practice nursing or an allied health profession in the district or parish, as provided in this Chapter. Each scholarship shall be awarded for the purpose of defraying the costs of tuition, fees, and other related expenses and cost for attendance at nursing or allied health school. The board may, at any time and in its discretion, determine not to grant a scholarship under the program.

            B. The provisions of this Chapter shall apply solely to monies generated by the respective boards through their facilities, and upon the initiation of such a program, the program shall become a part of the annual hospital budget.

            C. For the purpose of this Chapter, the following definitions shall apply:

            (1) “Allied health” means any generally recognized medical profession or vocation including but not limited to occupational, respiratory, vocational, physical, and other therapies; medical, radiologic, and other technologists; pharmacists, social workers, athletic trainers, and other similar professions and vocations.

            (2) “Nursing” means nursing as practiced by an individual who has graduated from an accredited school of nursing, passed the licensing examination, and been issued a license to practice as a registered nurse in this state by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing or a license to practice as a practical nurse in this state by the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners.

            Acts 1988, No. 54, §1; Acts 2023, No. 33, §1, eff. June 1, 2023.