Sec. 61.9994.  AWARD OF GRANTS.  In awarding grants under the program, the board shall give priority to applicants that propose to:
(1)  enhance or leverage existing degree programs that graduate professionals described by Section 61.9991;
(2)  establish or maintain a program that serves a rural or underserved area;
(3)  partner with:
(A)  another institution of higher education to develop a joint program; or
(B)  a public school to implement early recruitment in high school; 
(4)  establish or maintain a program that incentivizes professionals described by Section 61.9991 to serve in their field or a related field of study for at least three consecutive years following graduation in an inpatient or outpatient behavioral health facility or program that receives state funding;
(5)  establish or maintain a degree or certificate program to educate professionals in specialties that face significant workforce shortages, including those described by Section 61.601; or 
(6)  establish or maintain psychiatric fellowship programs that serve correctional facilities or inpatient psychiatric facilities.
Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 662 (H.B. 400), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2023.