Introduced Version
HOUSE BILL No. 1196
_____
DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL
Citations Affected: IC 6-3.6; IC 16-18-2; IC 16-46-18; IC 21-13;
IC 21-44; IC 25-14-5.
Synopsis: Health finance matters. Adds capital projects, technology
upgrades, and operational expenses for certain county hospitals to the
definition of "public safety" for purposes of local income tax revenue
use. Increases the maximum local income tax that may be imposed in
certain counties if a tax rate is adopted for purposes related to certain
hospitals located in the county. Establishes the Indiana rural hospital
and critical health care services fund (rural health care services fund)
for the purpose of awarding grants to certain rural hospitals. Provides
that the Indiana department of health (state department) administers the
rural health care services fund. Establishes the following: (1) The
health workforce student loan repayment program (program). (2) The
health workforce advisory board (advisory board). (3) The health
workforce student loan repayment program fund (repayment program
fund) for the purpose of providing funds to repay outstanding student
loans of certain health providers who meet the program requirements.
Provides that the state department shall administer the program and
repayment program fund. Establishes: (1) the imposition of fees at the
time a license is issued or renewed for certain health profession
licenses; and (2) qualifications to receive a student loan repayment
award under the program. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2025, the
state department and each board included in the program may award a
student loan repayment to an eligible applicant who is a provider
licensed by the board. Provides that money in the repayment program
fund is continuously appropriated. Repeals provisions concerning the
following: (1) The primary care physician loan forgiveness program.
(2) The mental health services development programs. (3) The dental
(Continued next page)
Effective: Upon passage; July 1, 2024.
Manning
January 9, 2024, read first time and referred to Committee on Public Health.
2024 IN 1196—LS 6492/DI 125 Digest Continued
underserved area and minority recruitment program. Urges the
legislative council to assign to an appropriate interim study committee
the task of studying topics related to the rural health care services fund.
Urges the legislative council to assign to an appropriate study
committee the task of studying certain topics related to health care
services.
2024 IN 1196—LS 6492/DI 1252024 IN 1196—LS 6492/DI 125 Introduced
Second Regular Session of the 123rd General Assembly (2024)
PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana
Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type,
additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in this style type.
Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional
provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the
word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds
a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or this style type reconciles conflicts
between statutes enacted by the 2023 Regular Session of the General Assembly.
HOUSE BILL No. 1196
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
health and to make an appropriation.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
1 SECTION 1. IC 6-3.6-2-14, AS AMENDED BY P.L.247-2017,
2 SECTION 7, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
3 JULY 1, 2024]: Sec. 14. "Public safety" refers to the following:
4 (1) A police and law enforcement system to preserve public peace
5 and order.
6 (2) A firefighting and fire prevention system.
7 (3) Emergency ambulance services (as defined in
8 IC 16-18-2-107).
9 (4) Emergency medical services (as defined in IC 16-18-2-110).
10 (5) Emergency action (as defined in IC 13-11-2-65).
11 (6) A probation department of a court.
12 (7) Confinement, supervision, services under a community
13 corrections program (as defined in IC 35-38-2.6-2), or other
14 correctional services for a person who has been:
15 (A) diverted before a final hearing or trial under an agreement
2024 IN 1196—LS 6492/DI 125 2
1 that is between the county prosecuting attorney and the person
2 or the person's custodian, guardian, or parent and that provides
3 for confinement, supervision, community corrections services,
4 or other correctional services instead of a final action
5 described in clause (B) or (C);
6 (B) convicted of a crime; or
7 (C) adjudicated as a delinquent child or a child in need of
8 services.
9 (8) A juvenile detention facility under IC 31-31-8.
10 (9) A juvenile detention center under IC 31-31-9.
11 (10) A county jail.
12 (11) A communications system (as defined in IC 36-8-15-3), an
13 enhanced emergency telephone system (as defined in
14 IC 36-8-16-2, before its repeal on July 1, 2012), a PSAP (as
15 defined in IC 36-8-16.7-20) that is part of the statewide 911
16 system (as defined in IC 36-8-16.7-22) and located within the
17 county, or the statewide 911 system (as defined in
18 IC 36-8-16.7-22).
19 (12) Medical and health expenses for jailed inmates and other
20 confined persons.
21 (13) Pension payments for any of the following:
22 (A) A member of a fire department (as defined in IC 36-8-1-8)
23 or any other employee of the fire department.
24 (B) A member of a police department (as defined in
25 IC 36-8-1-9), a police chief hired under a waiver under
26 IC 36-8-4-6.5, or any other employee hired by the police
27 department.
28 (C) A county sheriff or any other member of the office of the
29 county sheriff.
30 (D) Other personnel employed to provide a service described
31 in this section.
32 (14) Law enforcement training.
33 (15) In the case of a county that:
34 (A) has a population of less than fifty thousand (50,000);
35 and
36 (B) owns and operates a hospital under IC 16-22;
37 capital projects, technology upgrades, and operational
38 expenses for the county hospital.
39 SECTION 2. IC 6-3.6-6-2, AS ADDED BY P.L.243-2015,
40 SECTION 10, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
41 JULY 1, 2024]: Sec. 2. (a) This section applies to all counties.
42 (b) Except as provided in subsection (c), the adopting body may
2024 IN 1196—LS 6492/DI 125 3
1 impose a tax rate under this chapter that does not exceed:
2 (1) two and five-tenths percent (2.5%) in all counties other than
3 Marion County; and
4 (2) two and seventy-five hundredths percent (2.75%) in Marion
5 County;
6 on the adjusted gross income of local taxpayers in the county served by
7 the adopting body.
8 (c) This subsection applies only to a county having a population
9 of less than fifty thousand (50,000) in which a hospital that is a:
10 (1) hospital owned and operated by the county under
11 IC 16-22; or
12 (2) critical access hospital that meets the criteria under 42
13 CFR 485.601 et. seq. and that provides:
14 (A) an emergency department that operates twenty-four
15 (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week, three hundred
16 sixty-five (365) days a year;
17 (B) full-time obstetric and maternal services;
18 (C) primary care services, including access to primary care
19 providers for:
20 (i) initial diagnosis and treatment of various health
21 conditions; and
22 (ii) managing chronic conditions; and
23 (D) emergency medical services, unless the county
24 government otherwise operates, maintains, or contracts for
25 emergency medical services;
26 is located. The adopting body may impose a tax rate under this
27 chapter that exceeds two and five-tenths percent (2.5%) on the
28 adjusted gross income of local taxpayers in the county served by
29 the adopting body if the adopting body adopts an ordinance under
30 section 2.6 of this chapter. However, the tax rate imposed under
31 this chapter may not exceed two and seventy-five hundredths
32 percent (2.75%).
33 SECTION 3. IC 6-3.6-6-2.6 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
34 AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY
35 1, 2024]: Sec. 2.6. (a) This section applies to a county having a
36 population of less than fifty thousand (50,000) in which a hospital
37 that is a:
38 (1) county hospital; or
39 (2) critical access hospital;
40 is located.
41 (b) As used in this section, "county hospital" means a hospital
42 that is owned and operated by the county under IC 16-22.
2024 IN 1196—LS 6492/DI 125 4
1 (c) As used in this section, "critical access hospital" means a
2 critical access hospital that meets the criteria under 42 CFR
3 485.601 et. seq. and that provides:
4 (1) an emergency department that operates twenty-four (24)
5 hours a day, seven (7) days a week, three hundred sixty-five
6 (365) days a year;
7 (2) full-time obstetric and maternal services;
8 (3) primary care services, including access to primary care
9 providers for:
10 (A) initial diagnosis and treatment of various health
11 conditions; and
12 (B) managing chronic conditions; and
13 (4) emergency medical services, unless the county government
14 otherwise operates, maintains, or contracts for emergency
15 medical services.
16 (d) A county fiscal body may adopt an ordinance to impose a tax
17 rate for:
18 (1) critical access hospitals; and
19 (2) county hospitals;
20 that are located in the county. The tax rate must be in increments
21 of one-hundredth of one percent (0.01%) and may not exceed
22 twenty-five hundredths of one percent (0.25%).
23 (e) The revenue generated by a tax rate imposed under this
24 section must be distributed directly to the county before the
25 remainder of the expenditure rate revenue is distributed. The
26 revenue shall be maintained in a separate dedicated county fund.
27 The county may distribute the revenue directly to a critical access
28 hospital or a county hospital, or use the revenue to pay costs on
29 behalf of the critical access hospital or the county hospital, but the
30 revenue may be used only for paying for capital projects,
31 technology upgrades, and operational expenses of a critical access
32 hospital or a county hospital.
33 SECTION 4. IC 6-3.6-6-3, AS AMENDED BY P.L.95-2022,
34 SECTION 5, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
35 JULY 1, 2024]: Sec. 3. (a) Revenue raised from a tax imposed under
36 this chapter shall be treated as follows:
37 (1) To make the following distributions:
38 (A) If an ordinance described in section 2.5 of this chapter is
39 in effect in a county, to make a distribution to the county equal
40 to the amount of revenue generated by the rate imposed under
41 section 2.5 of this chapter.
42 (B) If an ordinance described in section 2.6 of this chapter
2024 IN 1196—LS 6492/DI 125 5
1 is in effect in a county, to make a distribution to the county
2 equal to the amount of revenue generated by the rate
3 imposed under section 2.6 of this chapter.
4 (B) (C) If an ordinance described in section 2.7 of this chapter
5 is in effect in a county, to make a distribution to the county
6 equal to the amount of revenue generated by the rate imposed
7 under section 2.7 of this chapter.
8 (C) (D) If an ordinance described in section 2.8 of this chapter
9 is in effect in a county, to make a distribution to the county
10 equal to the amount of revenue generated by the rate imposed
11 under section 2.8 of this chapter.
12 (2) After making the distributions described in subdivision (1), if
13 any, to make distributions to school corporations and civil taxing
14 units in counties that formerly imposed a tax under IC 6-3.5-1.1
15 (repealed). The revenue categorized from the next twenty-five
16 hundredths percent (0.25%) of the rate for a former tax adopted
17 under IC 6-3.5-1.1 (repealed) shall be allocated to school
18 corporations and civil taxing units. The amount of the allocation
19 to a school corporation or civil taxing unit shall be determined
20 using the allocation amounts for civil taxing units and school
21 corporations in the county.
22 (3) After making the distributions described in subdivisions (1)
23 and (2), the remaining revenue shall be treated as additional
24 revenue (referred to as "additional revenue" in this chapter).
25 Additional revenue may not be considered by the department of
26 local government finance in determining:
27 (A) any taxing unit's maximum permissible property tax levy
28 limit under IC 6-1.1-18.5; or
29 (B) the approved property tax rate for any fund.
30 (b) In the case of a civil taxing unit that has pledged the tax from
31 additional revenue for the payment of bonds, leases, or other
32 obligations as reported by the civil taxing unit under IC 5-1-18, the
33 adopting body may not, under section 4 of this chapter, reduce the
34 proportional allocation of the additional revenue that was allocated in
35 the preceding year if the reduction for that year would result in an
36 amount less than the amount necessary for the payment of bonds,
37 leases, or other obligations payable or required to be deposited in a
38 sinking fund or other reserve in that year for the bonds, leases, or other
39 obligations for which the tax from additional revenue has been pledged.
40 To inform an adopting body with regard to allocations that affect the
41 payment of bonds, leases, or other obligations, a taxing unit may
42 provide the adopting body with information regarding any outstanding
2024 IN 1196—LS 6492/DI 125 6
1 bonds, leases, or other obligations that are secured by additional
2 revenue. The information must be provided before the date of the
3 public hearing at which the adopting body may change the allocation
4 of additional revenue under section 4 of this chapter.
5 SECTION 5. IC 6-3.6-9-10, AS AMENDED BY P.L.184-2018,
6 SECTION 9, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
7 JULY 1, 2024]: Sec. 10. The budget agency shall also certify
8 information concerning the part of the certified distribution that is
9 attributable to each of the following:
10 (1) The tax rate imposed under IC 6-3.6-5.
11 (2) The tax rate imposed under IC 6-3.6-6, separately stating:
12 (A) the part of the distribution attributable to a tax rate
13 imposed under IC 6-3.6-6-2.5; and
14 (B) the part of the distribution attributable to a tax rate
15 imposed under IC 6-3.6-6-2.6; and
16 (B) (C) the part of the distribution attributable to a tax rate
17 imposed under IC 6-3.6-6-2.7.
18 (3) Each tax rate imposed under IC 6-3.6-7.
19 (4) In the case of Marion County, the local income taxes paid by
20 local taxpayers described in IC 6-3.6-2-13(3).
21 The amount certified shall be adjusted to reflect any adjustment in the
22 certified distribution under this chapter.
23 SECTION 6. IC 16-18-2-106.8 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA
24 CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS
25 [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2024]: Sec. 106.8. "Eligible hospital", for
26 purposes of IC 16-46-18, has the meaning set forth in
27 IC 16-46-18-1.
28 SECTION 7. IC 16-18-2-143, AS AMENDED BY P.L.1-2010,
29 SECTION 69, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
30 JULY 1, 2024]: Sec. 143. (a) "Fund", for purposes of IC 16-26-2, has
31 the meaning set forth in IC 16-26-2-2.
32 (b) "Fund", for purposes of IC 16-31-8.5, has the meaning set forth
33 in IC 16-31-8.5-2.
34 (c) "Fund", for purposes of IC 16-41-39.4, refers to the childhood
35 lead poisoning prevention fund established by IC 16-41-39.4-3.1.
36 (d) "Fund", for purposes of IC 16-41-39.8, refers to the lead trust
37 fund established by IC 16-41-39.8-7.
38 (e) "Fund", for purposes of IC 16-46-5, has the meaning set forth in
39 IC 16-46-5-3.
40 (f) "Fund", for purposes of IC 16-46-12, has the meaning set forth
41 in IC 16-46-12-1.
42 (g) "Fund", for purposes of IC 16-41-42.2, has the meaning set forth
2024 IN 1196—LS 6492/DI 125 7
1 in IC 16-41-42.2-2.
2 (h) "Fund", for purposes of IC 16-35-8, has the meaning set forth in
3 IC 16-35-8-2.
4 (i) "Fund", for purposes of IC 16-46-18, has the meaning set
5 forth in IC 16-46-18-2.
6 SECTION 8. IC 16-46-18 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
7 AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
8 JULY 1, 2024]:
9 Chapter 18. Indiana Rural Hospital and Critical Health Care
10 Services Fund
11 Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "eligible hospital" means a
12 hospital located in a county having a population of less than fifty
13 thousand (50,000) that is a:
14 (1) critical access hospital that meets the criteria under 42
15 CFR 485.601 et. seq.; or
16 (2) hospital owned and operated by the county under
17 IC 16-22.
18 Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "fund" refers to the Indiana
19 rural hospital and critical health care services fund established by
20 section 3 of this chapter.
21 Sec. 3. (a) The Indiana rural hospital and critical health care
22 services fund is established for the purpose of awarding grants
23 under this chapter.
24 (b) The fund shall be administered by the state department.
25 (c) The fund consists of:
26 (1) appropriations from the general assembly; and
27 (2) grants, gifts, and donations to the fund.
28 (d) The expenses of administering the fund shall be paid from
29 money in the fund.
30 Sec. 4. An eligible hospital may apply for a grant from the fund
31 in the form and manner prescribed by the state department.
32 Sec. 5. Subject to section 6 of this chapter, of the amount
33 available to make grants in a state fiscal year, the state department
34 shall award grants in equal amounts to each eligible hospital that
35 submits an application.
36 Sec. 6. The state department shall allocate at least seventy-five
37 percent (75%) of the amount available to the state department to
38 make grants in a state fiscal year to eligible hospitals that offer the
39 following:
40 (1) An emergency department that operates twenty-four (24)
41 hours a day, seven (7) days a week, three hundred sixty-five
42 (365) days a year.
2024 IN 1196—LS 6492/DI 125 8
1 (2) Full-time obstetric and maternal services.
2 (3) Primary care services, including access to primary care
3 providers for:
4 (A) initial diagnosis and treatment of various health
5 conditions; and
6 (B) managing chronic conditions.
7 (4) Emergency medical services, unless the county
8 government otherwise operates, maintains, or contracts for
9 emergency medical services.
10 Sec. 7. A grant awarded to an eligible hospital from the fund
11 may be used for:
12 (1) facility, technology, or equipment upgrades; and
13 (2) any other operational expense or purpose as determined
14 necessary by the eligible hospital.
15 Sec. 8. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the state
16 department may not impose terms or conditions on a grant
17 awarded from the fund.
18 SECTION 9. IC 21-13-1-5, AS AMENDED BY P.L.148-2016,
19 SECTION 1, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
20 JULY 1, 2024]: Sec. 5. "Fund":
21 (1) for purposes of IC 21-13-2, refers to the William A. Crawford
22 minority teacher scholarship fund established by IC 21-13-2-1;
23 (2) for purposes of IC 21-13-4, refers to the National Guard
24 tuition supplement program fund established by IC 21-13-4-1;
25 (3) for purposes of IC 21-13-5, refers to the National Guard
26 scholarship extension fund established by IC 21-13-5-1; and
27 (4) for purposes of IC 21-13-6, refers to the primary care
28 physician loan forgiveness fund established by IC 21-13-6-3; and
29 (5) (4) for purposes of IC 21-13-6.5, refers to the medical
30 residency education fund established by IC 21-13-6.5-1.
31 SECTION 10. IC 21-13-6 IS REPEALED [EFFECTIVE JULY 1,
32 2024]. (Primary Care Physician Loan Forgiveness Program).
33 SECTION 11. IC 21-13-12 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
34 AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
35 JULY 1, 2024]:
36 Chapter 12. Health Workforce Student Loan Repayment
37 Program
38 Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "advisory board" refers to the
39 health workforce advisory board established by section 10 of this
40 chapter.
41 Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "board" refers to any of the
42 following:
2024 IN 1196—LS 6492/DI 125 9
1 (1) The state board of dentistry (IC 25-14-1-2).
2 (2) The medical licensing board of Indiana (IC 25-22.5-2-1).
3 (3) The Indiana state board of nursing (IC 25-23-1-2).
4 (4) The occupational therapy committee (IC 25-23.5-2-1).
5 (5) The behavioral health and human services licensing board
6 (IC 25-23.6-2-1).
7 (6) The Indiana optometry board (IC 25-24-1-1).
8 (7) The Indiana board of pharmacy (IC 25-26-13-3).
9 (8) The Indiana board of physical therapy (IC 25-27-1-4).
10 (9) The physician assistant committee (IC 25-27.5-3-1).
11 (10) The board of podiatric medicine (IC 25-29-2-1).
12 (11) The state psychology board (IC 25-33-1-3).
13 (12) The speech-language pathology and audiology board
14 (IC 25-35.6-2-1).
15 Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "eligible provider" means a
16 provider who meets the requirements described in section 15(b) of
17 this chapter.
18 Sec. 4. As used in this chapter, "fund" refers to the health
19 workforce student loan repayment program fund established by
20 section 11 of this chapter.
21 Sec. 5. As used in this chapter, "license" means:
22 (1) an unlimited license, permit, certificate, or certificate of
23 registration;
24 (2) a temporary, limited, or probationary license, permit,
25 certificate, or certificate of registration;
26 (3) an intern permit; or
27 (4) a provisional license;
28 issued by a board to a provider.
29 Sec. 6. As used in this chapter, "program" refers to the health
30 workforce student loan repayment program established by section
31 9 of this chapter.
32 Sec. 7. As used in this chapter, "provider" means any of the
33 following:
34 (1) A dentist licensed under IC 25-14.
35 (2) A physician licensed under IC 25-22.5.
36 (3) A nurse licensed under IC 25-23, including nursing faculty.
37 (4) An occupational therapist licensed under IC 25-23.5.
38 (5) A clinical social worker licensed under IC 25-23.6-5.
39 (6) A marriage and family therapist licensed under
40 IC 25-23.6-8.
41 (7) A mental health counselor licensed under IC 25-23.6-8.5.
42 (8) A clinical addiction counselor licensed under
2024 IN 1196—LS 6492/DI 125 10
1 IC 25-23.6-10.5.
2 (9) An optometrist licensed under IC 25-24.
3 (10) A pharmacist licensed under IC 25-26.
4 (11) A physical therapist licensed under IC 25-27.
5 (12) A physician assistant licensed under IC 25-27.5-4.
6 (13) A podiatrist licensed under IC 25-29.
7 (14) A psychologist licensed under IC 25-33-1.
8 (15) A speech-language pathologist licensed under IC 25-35.6.
9 (16) An audiologist licensed under IC 25-35.6.
10 Sec. 8. As used in this chapter, "state department" refers to the
11 Indiana department of health.
12 Sec. 9. The health workforce student loan repayment program
13 is established. The state department shall administer the program.
14 Sec. 10. (a) The health workforce advisory board is established
15 under the executive branch of state government for the purpose of
16 advising the state department on administration of the program.
17 (b) The advisory board consists of the following members:
18 (1) The executive director of the professional licensing agency
19 or the director's designee.
20 (2) The commissioner of the department of workforce
21 development or the commissioner's designee.
22 (3) The secretary of family and social services or the
23 secretary's designee.
24 (4) The commissioner of the state department or the
25 commissioner's designee.
26 (5) The commissioner of the commission for higher education
27 or the commissioner's designee.
28 (6) The secretary of education.
29 (7) One (1) member of the senate, appointed by the president
30 pro tempore of the senate.
31 (8) One (1) member of the house of representatives, appointed
32 by the speaker of the house of representatives.
33 (9) One (1) member who is a member of the Indiana
34 commission to combat substance abuse disorder.
35 (10) One (1) representative from the governor's workforce
36 cabinet.
37 (11) One (1) representative from the Indiana Hospital
38 Association.
39 (12) One (1) representative from the Indiana Rural Health
40 Association.
41 (13) One (1) representative from the Indiana Primary Health
42 Care Association.
2024 IN 1196—LS 6492/DI 125 11
1 (14) One (1) representative from the Indiana Minority Health
2 Coalition.
3 (15) One (1) representative from the Indiana Health Care
4 Association.
5 (16) One (1) representative from the Bowen Center for Health
6 Workforce Research and Policy at Indiana University.
7 (17) One (1) member who is a nurse licensed under IC 25-23-1
8 or has held a license as a nurse in Indiana within the last five
9 (5) years.
10 (c) The members described in subsection (b)(9) through (b)(17)
11 shall be appointed by the governor.
12 (d) The members shall annually elect a chairperson of the
13 advisory board.
14 (e) A majority of the members of the advisory board constitutes
15 a quorum. The affirmative votes of a majority of the voting
16 members of the advisory board are required for the advisory
17 board to take action.
18 (f) A member of the advisory board who is a member of the
19 general assembly is a nonvoting member of the advisory board.
20 (g) An appointed member of the advisory board serves a:
21 (1) one (1) year term, beginning July 1, 2024, and ending June
22 30, 2025; and
23 (2) two (2) year term thereafter, beginning on July 1 of every
24 odd-numbered year and ending on June 30 of the following
25 odd-numbered year.
26 An appointed member may be reappointed at the conclusion of the
27 member's term. An appointed member of the advisory board
28 serves at the will of the member's appointing authority. If a
29 vacancy occurs on the advisory board, the appointing authority
30 that appointed the member whose position is vacant shall appoint
31 an individual to fill the vacancy.
32 (h) The advisory board:
33 (1) shall meet at the call of the chairperson at least one (1)
34 time each quarter during 2024 and each year thereafter; and
35 (2) may meet at any time at the call of:
36 (A) the chairperson; or
37 (B) a majority of the members of the advisory board.
38 (i) The state department shall staff the advisory board.
39 (j) Except as provided in subsection (m), and subject to section
40 11(d) of this chapter, the expenses of the advisory board shall be
41 paid from the fund.
42 (k) A member of the advisory board who is not a state employee
2024 IN 1196—LS 6492/DI 125 12
1 is not entitled to the minimum salary per diem provided by
2 IC 4-10-11-2.1(b). The member is, however, entitled to
3 reimbursement for mileage and traveling expenses as provided
4 under IC 4-13-1-4 and other expenses actually incurred in
5 connection with the member's duties as provided in the state
6 policies and procedures established by the Indiana department of
7 administration and approved by the budget agency.
8 (l) Each member of the advisory board who is a state employee,
9 but who is not a member of the general assembly, is entitled to
10 reimbursement for mileage and traveling expenses as provided
11 under IC 4-13-1-4 and other expenses actually incurred in
12 connection with the member's duties as provided in the state
13 policies and procedures established by the Indiana department of
14 administration and approved by the budget agency.
15 (m) Each member of the advisory board who is a member of the
16 general assembly is entitled to receive the same per diem, mileage,
17 and travel allowances paid to legislative members of interim study
18 committees established by the legislative council. Per diem,
19 mileage, and travel allowances paid under this subsection shall be
20 paid from appropriations made to the legislative council or the
21 legislative services agency.
22 Sec. 11. (a) The health workforce student loan repayment
23 program fund is established for the purpose of providing funds to
24 repay outstanding student loans of providers who meet the
25 requirements of this chapter.
26 (b) The fund consists of the following:
27 (1) Appropriations made by the general assembly.
28 (2) Fees collected under section 12 of this chapter.
29 (3) Gifts, grants, devises, or bequests made to the state
30 department to achieve the purposes of the fund.
31 (c) The state department shall administer the fund.
32 (d) The expenses of administering the fund shall be paid from
33 money in the fund but may not exceed a total of one hundred
34 thousand dollars ($100,000) each biennium.
35 (e) Money in the fund is continuously appropriated to:
36 (1) carry out the purposes of the fund; and
37 (2) subject to subsection (d), cover the costs incurred by the
38 state department in administering the program.
39 (f) The state department shall establish a separate account
40 within the fund for each board. On June 30, 2026, and on June 30
41 every two (2) years thereafter, any money in a separate account
42 established under this subsection reverts to the fund.
2024 IN 1196—LS 6492/DI 125 13
1 (g) The treasurer of state shall invest the money in the fund not
2 currently needed to meet the obligations of the fund in the same
3 manner as other public funds may be invested. Interest that
4 accrues from investments under this subsection must be deposited
5 in the fund.
6 (h) Money in the fund at the end of a state fiscal year does not
7 revert to the state general fund but remains available to be used for
8 the purposes of this chapter.
9 Sec. 12. (a) Beginning not later than October 1, 2024, and in
10 addition to any other fee imposed for the issuance or renewal of a
11 license, each board shall, at the time a license is issued or renewed,
12 collect a fee in the following amounts:
13 (1) Ten dollars ($10), if a fee for the issuance or renewal of a
14 license is not more than one hundred dollars ($100).
15 (2) Twenty dollars ($20), if a fee for the issuance or renewal
16 of a license is more than one hundred dollars ($100).
17 (b) Each board shall deposit fees collected by the board under
18 this section into the fund.
19 Sec. 13. (a) Except as provided in subsection (c), the money in
20 the fund shall be allocated and used as follows:
21 (1) An amount that may not exceed one hundred thousand
22 dollars ($100,000) each biennium shall remain in the fund for
23 use by the state department to cover the costs incurred by the
24 state department in administering the program.
25 (2) An amount equal to the amount determined in STEP
26 THREE of the following formula shall remain in the fund for
27 use by the state department to award student loan repayment
28 to an eligible provider under this chapter:
29 STEP ONE: Determine the total amount of money in the
30 fund minus any gifts, grants, devises, or bequests that have
31 been directed to be used as described in subsection (b).
32 STEP TWO: Subtract the amount retained by the state
33 department under subdivision (1) from the amount
34 determined under STEP ONE.
35 STEP THREE: Determine the result of:
36 (A) the amount determined under STEP TWO;
37 multiplied by
38 (B) fifty percent (50%).
39 (3) An amount equal to the amount determined in STEP
40 THREE of the following formula shall be transferred to each
41 board's account for use by the respective board to award
42 student loan repayment to eligible providers licensed by that
2024 IN 1196—LS 6492/DI 125 14
1 board:
2 STEP ONE: Subtract the amount determined in STEP
3 THREE of subdivision (2) from the amount determined in
4 STEP TWO of subdivision (2).
5 STEP TWO: For each board, divide the total number of
6 providers licensed by that board by the total number of
7 providers licensed by all of the boards.
8 STEP THREE: Multiply the amount determined under
9 STEP ONE by the quotient determined under STEP TWO
10 for each respective board.
11 (b) A person providing a gift, grant, devise, or bequest to the
12 fund may direct that the gift, grant, devise, or bequest be used for
13 student loan repayments for eligible providers of a specific
14 profession.
15 (c) If a person has directed that a gift, grant, devise, or bequest
16 be used for student loan repayments for eligible providers of a
17 specific profession, the state department shall transfer the amount
18 of the gift, grant, devise, or bequest to the applicable board's
19 account for student loan repayments to eligible providers of that
20 profession. A board may use a gift, grant, devise, or bequest
21 described in this subsection only to award student loan repayments
22 to eligible providers of the specified profession.
23 Sec. 14. (a) The advisory board shall serve as a resource to the
24 state department as the state department administers the program.
25 (b) The advisory board shall advise the state department on the
26 following:
27 (1) The eligibility requirements for the program.
28 (2) The eligible providers the advisory board recommends be
29 awarded student loan repayments under this chapter.
30 (3) Award amounts for the award of student loan repayments
31 under this chapter.
32 (4) Areas of need for workforce and workforce development
33 in the respective professions that a board licenses.
34 (c) The state department shall provide to each board all
35 information:
36 (1) obtained from the advisory board under this section; and
37 (2) concerning the board's licensees.
38 Sec. 15. (a) Beginning July 1, 2025, the state department and
39 each board may award student loan repayments to any eligible
40 provider who:
41 (1) is a provider licensed by the board; and
42 (2) meets the requirements of this chapter.
2024 IN 1196—LS 6492/DI 125 15
1 (b) To be eligible to receive a student loan repayment award
2 under this chapter, a provider must meet the following criteria:
3 (1) Apply on a form prescribed by the state department.
4 (2) Be a provider and practice a profession that is licensed by
5 a board.
6 (3) Have an outstanding student loan balance.
7 (4) Provide essential services directly to Indiana residents.
8 (5) Agree in writing to:
9 (A) practice full time the applicable profession and provide
10 essential services for a specified number of years in a
11 health workforce shortage area in Indiana, as determined
12 by the state department; and
13 (B) meet any other requirements established by the state
14 department.
15 (6) Meet any other requirements established by the state
16 department.
17 (c) The state department shall determine the amount of a
18 student loan repayment award that an eligible provider receives
19 under this chapter.
20 (d) If the state department or a board awards student loan
21 repayment to an eligible provider under this chapter, the state
22 department or board:
23 (1) shall, subject to subdivision (3), make the student loan
24 repayment award in an amount determined by the state
25 department at the end of each state fiscal year;
26 (2) shall transfer the student loan repayment award directly
27 to the holder of the eligible provider's student loans; and
28 (3) may not make the student loan repayment award to the
29 eligible provider unless the eligible provider:
30 (A) met the requirements of this chapter during that state
31 fiscal year; and
32 (B) has, for at least one (1) year, practiced full time the
33 applicable profession and provided essential services in a
34 health workforce shortage area as described in subsection
35 (b)(5)(A).
36 (e) The state department or a board may make student loan
37 repayment awards to an eligible provider under this chapter until
38 the balance of the eligible provider's student loans are paid in full.
39 Sec. 16. (a) The state department shall prepare a report that
40 includes the following:
41 (1) The receipt, disbursement, and uses of money from the
42 fund and the separate accounts within the fund.
2024 IN 1196—LS 6492/DI 125 16
1 (2) The number of applications submitted for student loan
2 repayment under the program.
3 (3) The number and amount of student loan repayment
4 awards that have been provided by the state department and
5 each board.
6 (4) An evaluation of the short and long term impact of the
7 program on Indiana health workforce shortages.
8 (5) Any other information collected concerning the fund,
9 program, or student loan repayments awarded under this
10 chapter.
11 (b) Not later than July 1, 2026, and not later than July 1 every
12 two (2) years thereafter, the state department shall submit the
13 report described in subsection (a) to the following:
14 (1) The governor.
15 (2) The general assembly in an electronic format under
16 IC 5-14-6.
17 Sec. 17. The state department, in consultation with the advisory
18 board, shall adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to:
19 (1) establish eligibility requirements to receive student loan
20 repayment awards under the program; and
21 (2) otherwise administer the program.
22 Sec. 18. This chapter expires July 1, 2035.
23 SECTION 12. IC 21-44-1-3, AS AMENDED BY P.L.190-2015,
24 SECTION 2, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
25 JULY 1, 2024]: Sec. 3. (a) "Board", for purposes of IC 21-44-5, refers
26 to the medical education board established by IC 21-44-5-1.
27 (b) "Board", for purposes of IC 21-44-6, refers to the mental health
28 and addiction services development programs board established by
29 IC 21-44-6-1.
30 (c) (b) "Board", for purposes of IC 21-44-7, refers to the graduate
31 medical education board established by IC 21-44-7-2.
32 SECTION 13. IC 21-44-1-16 IS REPEALED [EFFECTIVE JULY
33 1, 2024]. Sec. 16. "Training track program", for purposes of
34 IC 21-44-6, refers to the program for individuals in the public sector
35 psychiatry development program.
36 SECTION 14. IC 21-44-6 IS REPEALED [EFFECTIVE JULY 1,
37 2024]. (Mental Health Services Development Programs).
38 SECTION 15. IC 25-14-5 IS REPEALED [EFFECTIVE JULY 1,
39 2024]. (Dental Underserved Area and Minority Recruitment Program).
40 SECTION 16. [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE] (a) As used in this
41 SECTION, "fund" refers to the Indiana rural hospital and critical
42 health care services fund established by IC 16-46-18-3, as added by
2024 IN 1196—LS 6492/DI 125 17
1 this act.
2 (b) The legislative council is urged to assign to the appropriate
3 study committee during the 2024 legislative interim the task of
4 studying the following issues related to the Indiana rural hospital
5 and critical health care services fund:
6 (1) The amount of funding necessary for the number and
7 amounts of grants awarded from the fund to result in
8 increased access to critical health care services in counties
9 with a population of less than fifty thousand (50,000).
10 (2) The types of hospitals that should be eligible for a grant
11 from the fund.
12 (3) The requirements, if any, that a hospital should be
13 required to meet to be eligible, or maintain eligibility, for a
14 grant from the fund, including potential requirements
15 concerning particular health care services offered by the
16 hospital.
17 (c) This SECTION expires December 31, 2024.
18 SECTION 17. [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE] (a) The legislative
19 council is urged to assign to the appropriate study committee
20 during the 2024 legislative interim the task of studying the
21 following topics:
22 (1) Whether state funded telehealth expansion grants should
23 be provided to hospitals that are located in counties with a
24 population of less than fifty thousand (50,000) and that are:
25 (A) critical access hospitals that meet the criteria under 42
26 CFR 485.601 et. seq.; or
27 (B) hospitals owned and operated by the county under
28 IC 16-22;
29 for the purposes of expanding telehealth and telemedicine
30 services, improving access to specialists, and reducing travel
31 burdens for patients.
32 (2) Whether the state should implement state funded rural
33 health care workforce training programs for health care
34 professionals in rural areas that focus on:
35 (A) helping health care professionals develop skills unique
36 to rural health care needs; and
37 (B) fostering partnerships between medical schools and
38 rural hospitals to bring medical students to rural areas,
39 including expanding and funding medical residencies in
40 rural areas.
41 (3) Increasing state funding for emergency medical services,
42 including training and equipment grants and ongoing funding
2024 IN 1196—LS 6492/DI 125 18
1 for operating expenses.
2 (4) Whether the state should provide additional grants to
3 hospitals that provide the following services:
4 (A) An emergency department that operates twenty-four
5 (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week, three hundred
6 sixty-five (365) days a year.
7 (B) Full-time obstetric and maternal services.
8 (C) Primary care services, including access to primary
9 care providers for:
10 (i) initial diagnosis and treatment of various health
11 conditions; and
12 (ii) managing chronic conditions.
13 (D) Emergency medical services, unless the county
14 government otherwise operates, maintains, or contracts for
15 emergency medical services.
16 (E) Cardiac care services, including providing
17 electrocardiograms and managing acute cardiac events.
18 (F) Stroke care services, including assessment and initial
19 treatment of stroke patients.
20 (G) Trauma care services, including basic trauma care
21 capabilities, wound management and stabilization, and
22 basic laboratory and diagnostic imaging capabilities.
23 (H) Pharmacy services, including pharmacy services
24 related to acute conditions and stabilization of chronic
25 illnesses.
26 (I) Pediatric emergency care services.
27 (b) This SECTION expires December 31, 2024.
28 SECTION 18. An emergency is declared for this act.
2024 IN 1196—LS 6492/DI 125