Increasing workforce diversity in the professions of physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, audiology, and speech-language pathology

Title VII of the Public Health Service Act is amended—(1)by redesignating part G (42 U.S.C. 295j et seq.) as part H; and(2)by inserting after part F (42 U.S.C. 295h) the following new part:

Increasing workforce diversity in the professions of physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, audiology, and speech-language pathology

783.

Scholarships and stipends

(a)

In general

The Secretary may award grants and contracts to eligible entities to increase educational opportunities in the professions of physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, audiology, and speech-language pathology for eligible individuals by—(1)providing student scholarships or stipends, including for—(A)completion of an accelerated degree program;(B)completion of an associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree program; and(C)entry by a diploma or associate’s degree practitioner into a bridge or degree completion program;(2)providing assistance for completion of prerequisite courses or other preparation necessary for acceptance for enrollment in the eligible entity; and(3)carrying out activities to increase the retention of students in one or more programs in the professions of physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, audiology, and speech-language pathology.(b)

Consideration of recommendations

In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall take into consideration the recommendations of national organizations representing the professions of physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, audiology, and speech-language pathology, including the American Physical Therapy Association, the American Occupational Therapy Association, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the American Association for Respiratory Care, the American Academy of Audiology, and the Academy of Doctors of Audiology.(c)

Required information and conditions for award recipients

(1)

In general

The Secretary may require recipients of awards under this section to report to the Secretary concerning the annual admission, retention, and graduation rates for eligible individuals in programs of the recipient leading to a degree in any of the professions of physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, audiology, and speech-language pathology.(2)

Falling rates

If any of the rates reported by a recipient under paragraph (1) fall below the average for such recipient over the two years preceding the year covered by the report, the recipient shall provide the Secretary with plans for immediately improving such rates.(3)

Ineligibility

A recipient described in paragraph (2) shall be ineligible for continued funding under this section if the plan of the recipient fails to improve the rates within the 1-year period beginning on the date such plan is implemented.(d)

Definitions

In this section:(1)

Eligible entities

The term eligible entity means an accredited education program that is carrying out a program for recruiting and retaining students underrepresented in the professions of physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, audiology, and speech-language pathology (including racial or ethnic minorities, or students from disadvantaged backgrounds).(2)

Eligible individual

The term eligible individual means an individual who—(A)is a member of a class of persons who are underrepresented in the professions of physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, audiology, and speech-language pathology, including individuals who are—(i)racial or ethnic minorities;(ii)from disadvantaged backgrounds; or(iii)individuals with a disability (as defined in section 3(1) of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990), or who have an individualized education program (as defined in section 602 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), are covered under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or have other documentation establishing the student’s disability (as such term is defined in section 3(1) of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990);(B)has a financial need for a scholarship or stipend; and(C)is enrolled (or accepted for enrollment) at an audiology, speech-language pathology, respiratory therapy, physical therapy, or occupational therapy program as a full-time student at an eligible entity.(e)

Authorization of Appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $8,000,000 for the first fiscal year commencing after the date of enactment of the Allied Health Workforce Diversity Act of 2021 and each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years.