Bill Text: MS HB501 | 2020 | Regular Session | Introduced

Mississippi House Bill 501 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: State podiatric forgivable loan program; create.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)

Status: (Failed) 2020-03-03 - Died In Committee [HB501 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2020-HB501-Introduced.html

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2020 Regular Session

To: Appropriations

By: Representatives Banks, Brown (70th), Clarke

House Bill 501

AN ACT TO CREATE NEW SECTION 37-106-64, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CREATE THE STATE PODIATRIC FORGIVABLE LOAN PROGRAM, WHICH WILL ENABLE ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS TO OBTAIN AN EDUCATION IN THE STUDY OF PODIATRY THAT WILL QUALIFY THEM TO BECOME LICENSED, PRACTICING PODIATRISTS; TO AUTHORIZE RECIPIENTS TO REPAY THEIR LOANS BY ENTRY INTO THE PRACTICE OF PODIATRY IN AN AREA OUTSIDE OF A METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA AND WITHIN A HEALTH PROFESSIONAL SHORTAGE AREA FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. The following shall be codified as Section 37-106-64, Mississippi Code of 1972:

37-106-64. (1) There is created the state podiatric forgivable loan program. The purpose of the program shall be to enable eligible applicants who desire to become podiatrists to obtain a standard four-year education in the study of podiatry at a college of podiatric medicine accredited by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education, which will qualify them to become licensed, practicing podiatrists.

(2) The board shall establish, by rule and regulation, the maximum annual award that may be made under this program at an amount not to exceed the cost of tuition and other expenses, and shall establish the maximum number of awards, which may be made not to exceed the length of time required to complete the degree requirements.

(3) Repayment and conversion terms shall be the same as those outlined in Section 37-106-53 and shall include the following:

(a) Payment in full of principal and interest must be made in sixty (60) or less equal monthly installments;

(b) In lieu of payment in full of both principal and interest, a loan recipient may elect to repay by entry into public health work at a state health institution as defined in Section 37-106-67(2), or community health centers that are grantees under Section 330 of the United States Public Health Service Act; and

(c) In lieu of payment in full of both principal and interest, a loan recipient may elect to repay by entry into the practice of podiatry in an area outside of a metropolitan statistical area, as defined and established by the United States Census Bureau, and within a health professional shortage area, as annually determined by the State Board of Health, for a period of five (5) years.

(4) The board shall establish the rules and regulations as it deems necessary and proper to carry out the purposes and intent of this section.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2020.