MD
Maryland Senate Bill SB626

Maryland 2022 Regular Session

Maryland Senate Bill SB626 Compare Versions

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1- LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 395
21
3-– 1 –
4-Chapter 395
5-(Senate Bill 626)
62
7-AN ACT concerning
3+EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
4+ [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
5+ Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
6+ Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
7+amendment.
8+ *sb0626*
89
9-Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment Program for Physicians and Physician
10-Assistants – Alterations
10+SENATE BILL 626
11+J2 2lr2555
12+ CF HB 1464
13+By: Senators Griffith, Elfreth, Kelley, Guzzone, Lam, Jackson, Washington,
14+Hettleman, King, Benson, Rosapepe, and Pinsky Pinsky, and Hester
15+Introduced and read first time: February 3, 2022
16+Assigned to: Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs
17+Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
18+Senate action: Adopted
19+Read second time: February 22, 2022
1120
12-FOR the purpose of clarifying that part–time physicians and physician assistants are
13-eligible for participation in the Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment Program for
14-Physicians and Physician Assistants; authorizing the Maryland Department of
15-Health to establish prorated loan repayment assistance for part–time physicians and
16-physician assistants; establishing the Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment
17-Program Advisory Council for Physicians and Physician Assistants to assist the
18-Department in the administration of the Program; and generally relating to the
19-Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment Program for Physicians and Physician
20-Assistants.
21+CHAPTER ______
2122
22-BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments,
23- Article – Health – General
24-Section 24–1703
25- Annotated Code of Maryland
26- (2019 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement)
23+AN ACT concerning 1
2724
28-BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
29- Article – Health – General
30-Section 24–1704
31- Annotated Code of Maryland
32- (2019 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement)
25+Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment Program for Physicians and Physician 2
26+Assistants – Alterations 3
3327
34-BY adding to
35- Article – Health – General
36-Section 24–1708
37- Annotated Code of Maryland
38- (2019 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement)
28+FOR the purpose of clarifying that part–time physicians and physician assistants are 4
29+eligible for participation in the Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment Program for 5
30+Physicians and Physician Assistants; authorizing the Maryland Department of 6
31+Health to establish prorated loan repayment assistance for part–time physicians and 7
32+physician assistants; establishing the Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment 8
33+Program Advisory Council for Physicians and Physician Assistants to assist the 9
34+Department in the administration of the Program; and generally relating to the 10
35+Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment Program for Physicians and Physician 11
36+Assistants. 12
3937
40- SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
41-That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:
38+BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 13
39+ Article – Health – General 14
40+Section 24–1703 15
41+ Annotated Code of Maryland 16
42+ (2019 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 17
4243
43-Article – Health – General
44+BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 18
45+ Article – Health – General 19
46+Section 24–1704 20
47+ Annotated Code of Maryland 21
48+ (2019 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 22 2 SENATE BILL 626
4449
45-24–1703.
4650
47- There is a Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment Pro gram for Physicians and
48-Physician Assistants in the State.
49- Ch. 395 2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND
5051
51-– 2 –
52-24–1704.
52+BY adding to 1
53+ Article – Health – General 2
54+Section 24–1708 3
55+ Annotated Code of Maryland 4
56+ (2019 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 5
5357
54- (a) (1) In this section[, “eligible] THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE
55-MEANINGS INDICATED .
58+ SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 6
59+That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 7
5660
57- (2) (I) “ELIGIBLE field of employment” means employment by an
58-organization, institution, association, society, or corporation that is exempt from taxation
59-under § 501(c)(3) or (4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
61+Article – Health – General 8
6062
61- [(2)] (II) “Eligible field of employment” includes employment by the State
62-or any local government in the State.
63+24–1703. 9
6364
64- (3) “PHYSICIAN” INCLUDES A PART –TIME PHYSICIAN.
65+ There is a Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment Program for Physicians and 10
66+Physician Assistants in the State. 11
6567
66- (4) “PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT ” INCLUDES A PART –TIME PHYSICIAN
67-ASSISTANT.
68+24–1704. 12
6869
69- (b) (1) The Department shall assist in the repayment with the funds
70-transferred to the Department by the Comptroller under § 14–207(d) of the Health
71-Occupations Article of the amount of education loans owed by a physician or physician
72-assistant who:
70+ (a) (1) In this section[, “eligible] THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE 13
71+MEANINGS INDICATED . 14
7372
74- [(1)] (i) 1. Practices primary care in an eligible field of employment
75-in a geographic area of the State that has been federally designated; or
73+ (2) (I) “ELIGIBLE field of employment” means employment by an 15
74+organization, institution, association, society, or corporation that is exempt from taxation 16
75+under § 501(c)(3) or (4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. 17
7676
77- [(ii)] 2. Is a medical resident specializing in primary care who
78-agrees to practice for at least 2 years as a primary care physician in an eligible field of
79-employment in a geographic area of the State that has been federally designated; and
77+ [(2)] (II) “Eligible field of employment” includes employment by the State 18
78+or any local government in the State. 19
8079
81- [(2)] (II) Meets any other requirements established by the Department.
80+ (3) “PHYSICIAN” INCLUDES A PART –TIME PHYSICIAN. 20
8281
83- (2) THE DEPARTMENT MAY ESTABL ISH PRORATED LOAN RE PAYMENT
84-ASSISTANCE FOR A PAR T–TIME PHYSICIAN OR PA RT–TIME PHYSICIAN AS SISTANT
85-PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM.
82+ (4) “PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT ” INCLUDES A PART –TIME PHYSICIAN 21
83+ASSISTANT. 22
8684
87- (c) Any unspent portions of the money that is transferred to the Department for
88-use under this subtitle from the Board of Physicians Fund may not be transferred to or
89-revert to the General Fund of the State, but shall remain in the Fund maintained by the
90-Department to administer the Program.
85+ (b) (1) The Department shall assist in the repayment with the funds 23
86+transferred to the Department by the Comptroller under § 14–207(d) of the Health 24
87+Occupations Article of the amount of education loans owed by a physician or physician 25
88+assistant who: 26
9189
92-24–1708.
90+ [(1)] (i) 1. Practices primary care in an eligible field of employment 27
91+in a geographic area of the State that has been federally designated; or 28
9392
94- (A) IN THIS SECTION , “COUNCIL” MEANS THE MARYLAND LOAN
95-ASSISTANCE REPAYMENT PROGRAM ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR PHYSICIANS AND
96-PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS. LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 395
93+ [(ii)] 2. Is a medical resident specializing in primary care who 29
94+agrees to practice for at least 2 years as a primary care physician in an eligible field of 30
95+employment in a geographic area of the State that has been federally designated; and 31
96+ SENATE BILL 626 3
9797
98-– 3 –
9998
100- (B) THERE IS A MARYLAND LOAN ASSISTANCE REPAYMENT PROGRAM
101-ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR PHYSICIANS AND PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS.
99+ [(2)] (II) Meets any other requirements established by the Department. 1
102100
103- (C) THE COUNCIL CONSISTS OF T HE FOLLOWING MEMBERS :
101+ (2) THE DEPARTMENT MAY ESTABL ISH PRORATED LOAN REPAYMEN T 2
102+ASSISTANCE FOR A PAR T–TIME PHYSICIAN OR PA RT–TIME PHYSICIAN ASSIS TANT 3
103+PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM. 4
104104
105- (1) THE CHAIR OF THE HEALTH SERVICES COST REVIEW
106-COMMISSION, OR THE CHAIR’S DESIGNEE;
105+ (c) Any unspent portions of the money that is transferred to the Department for 5
106+use under this subtitle from the Board of Physicians Fund may not be transferred to or 6
107+revert to the General Fund of the State, but shall remain in the Fund maintained by the 7
108+Department to administer the Program. 8
107109
108- (2) THE CHAIR OF THE MARYLAND HEALTH CARE COMMISSION, OR
109-THE CHAIR’S DESIGNEE;
110+24–1708. 9
110111
111- (3) THE PRESIDENT OF THE MARYLAND HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION, OR
112-THE PRESIDENT’S DESIGNEE;
112+ (A) IN THIS SECTION , “COUNCIL” MEANS THE MARYLAND LOAN 10
113+ASSISTANCE REPAYMENT PROGRAM ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR PHYSICIANS AND 11
114+PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS. 12
113115
114- (4) THE DEAN OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SCHOOL OF
115-MEDICINE, OR THE DEAN’S DESIGNEE;
116+ (B) THERE IS A MARYLAND LOAN ASSISTANCE REPAYMENT PROGRAM 13
117+ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR PHYSICIANS AND PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS. 14
116118
117- (5) THE DEAN OF THE JOHNS HOPKINS SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, OR
118-THE DEAN’S DESIGNEE;
119+ (C) THE COUNCIL CONSISTS OF T HE FOLLOWING MEMBERS : 15
119120
120- (6) THE PRESIDENT OF MEDCHI, OR THE PRESIDENT’S DESIGNEE;
121+ (1) THE CHAIR OF THE HEALTH SERVICES COST REVIEW 16
122+COMMISSION, OR THE CHAIR’S DESIGNEE; 17
121123
122- (7) ONE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PRIMARY CARE OFFICE IN THE
123-OFFICE OF POPULATION HEALTH IMPROVEMENT ;
124+ (2) THE CHAIR OF THE MARYLAND HEALTH CARE COMMISSION, OR 18
125+THE CHAIR’S DESIGNEE; 19
124126
125- (8) ONE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE STATE BOARD OF PHYSICIANS;
127+ (3) THE PRESIDENT OF THE MARYLAND HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION, OR 20
128+THE PRESIDENT’S DESIGNEE; 21
126129
127- (9) ONE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MARYLAND ACADEMY OF
128-PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS; AND
130+ (4) THE DEAN OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SCHOOL OF 22
131+MEDICINE, OR THE DEAN’S DESIGNEE; 23
129132
130- (10) ANY OTHER MEMBERS AS DETERMINED NECESSARY BY THE
131-SECRETARY.
133+ (5) THE DEAN OF THE JOHNS HOPKINS SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, OR 24
134+THE DEAN’S DESIGNEE; 25
132135
133- (D) (1) THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL SHALL SELECT THE CHAIR OF
134-THE COUNCIL.
136+ (6) THE PRESIDENT OF MEDCHI, OR THE PRESIDENT’S DESIGNEE; 26
135137
136- (2) A MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL:
138+ (7) ONE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PRIMARY CARE OFFICE IN THE 27
139+OFFICE OF POPULATION HEALTH IMPROVEMENT ; 28
137140
138- (I) MAY NOT RECEIVE COMPE NSATION AS A MEMBER OF THE
139-COUNCIL; BUT
140- Ch. 395 2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND
141+ (8) ONE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE STATE BOARD OF PHYSICIANS; 29
142+ 4 SENATE BILL 626
141143
142-– 4 –
143- (II) IS ENTITLED TO REIMBU RSEMENT FOR EXPENSES UNDER
144-THE STANDARD STATE TRAVEL REGULATIONS, AS PROVIDED IN THE STATE
145-BUDGET.
146144
147- (3) THE COUNCIL SHALL MEE T AT LEAST THREE TIM ES A YEAR.
145+ (9) ONE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MARYLAND ACADEMY OF 1
146+PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS; AND 2
148147
149- (E) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROV IDE STAFF FOR THE COUNCIL.
148+ (10) ANY OTHER MEMBERS AS DETERMINED NECESSARY BY THE 3
149+SECRETARY. 4
150150
151- (F) THE COUNCIL SHALL:
151+ (D) (1) THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL SHALL SELECT THE CHAIR OF 5
152+THE COUNCIL. 6
152153
153- (1) SEEK PERMANENT AND DI VERSE REVENUE SOURCE S TO AID IN
154-THE STABILITY AND FU RTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROGRAM;
154+ (2) A MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL: 7
155155
156- (2) HELP ENSURE MAXIMUM USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS ;
156+ (I) MAY NOT RECEIVE COMPE NSATION AS A MEMBER OF THE 8
157+COUNCIL; BUT 9
157158
158- (3) USE AVAILABLE DATA AN D INFORMATION TO HEL P DIRECT
159-FUNDING TO PRIORITY AREAS;
159+ (II) IS ENTITLED TO REIMBU RSEMENT FOR EXPENSES UNDER 10
160+THE STANDARD STATE TRAVEL REGULATIONS, AS PROVIDED IN THE STATE 11
161+BUDGET. 12
160162
161- (4) MONITOR SIMILAR LOAN PROGRAMS IN OTHER ST ATES AND
162-ENSURE THAT THE PROGRAM REMAINS COMPE TITIVE;
163+ (3) THE COUNCIL SHALL MEET AT LEAST THREE TIMES A YEAR. 13
163164
164- (5) ASSIST THE DEPARTMENT IN THE ADM INISTRATION OF THE
165-PROGRAM;
165+ (E) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROV IDE STAFF FOR THE COUNCIL. 14
166166
167- (6) HELP MARKET AND RAISE AWARENESS OF THE PROGRAM
168-THROUGH EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND OTH ER APPROPRIATE ENTIT IES AS AN
169-INCENTIVE TO HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS TO PR ACTICE IN UNDERSERVE D AREAS;
170-AND
167+ (F) THE COUNCIL SHALL: 15
171168
172- (7) MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNOR AND THE
173-GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON ANY NECES SARY CHANGES TO THE PROGRAM.
169+ (1) SEEK PERMANENT AND DI VERSE REVENUE SOURCE S TO AID IN 16
170+THE STABILITY AND FU RTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROGRAM; 17
174171
175- (G) ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1 EACH YEAR, THE COUNCIL SHALL REPORT
176-TO THE GOVERNOR AND , IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE
177-GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON THE ACTIV ITIES AND
178-RECOMMENDATIONS OF T HE COUNCIL.
172+ (2) HELP ENSURE MAXIMUM U SE OF FEDERAL FUNDS ; 18
179173
180- SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July
181-1, 2022.
174+ (3) USE AVAILABLE DATA AN D INFORMATION TO HEL P DIRECT 19
175+FUNDING TO PRIORITY AREAS; 20
182176
183-Approved by the Governor, May 16, 2022.
177+ (4) MONITOR SIMILAR LOAN PROGRAMS IN OTHER ST ATES AND 21
178+ENSURE THAT THE PROGRAM REMAINS COMPE TITIVE; 22
179+
180+ (5) ASSIST THE DEPARTMENT IN THE ADM INISTRATION OF THE 23
181+PROGRAM; 24
182+
183+ (6) HELP MARKET AND RAISE AWARENESS OF THE PROGRAM 25
184+THROUGH EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND OTH ER APPROPRIATE ENTIT IES AS AN 26
185+INCENTIVE TO HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS TO PRACTICE IN UNDERSERVED AREAS ; 27
186+AND 28
187+ SENATE BILL 626 5
188+
189+
190+ (7) MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNOR AND THE 1
191+GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON ANY NECES SARY CHANGES TO THE PROGRAM. 2
192+
193+ (G) ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1 EACH YEAR, THE COUNCIL SHALL REPORT 3
194+TO THE GOVERNOR AND , IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE 4
195+GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON THE ACTIV ITIES AND 5
196+RECOMMENDATIONS OF T HE COUNCIL. 6
197+
198+ SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 7
199+1, 2022. 8
200+
201+
202+
203+
204+Approved:
205+________________________________________________________________________________
206+ Governor.
207+________________________________________________________________________________
208+ President of the Senate.
209+________________________________________________________________________________
210+ Speaker of the House of Delegates.