LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 395
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Chapter 395
(Senate Bill 626)
AN ACT concerning
Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment Program for Physicians and Physician
Assistants – Alterations
FOR the purpose of clarifying that part–time physicians and physician assistants are
eligible for participation in the Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment Program for
Physicians and Physician Assistants; authorizing the Maryland Department of
Health to establish prorated loan repayment assistance for part–time physicians and
physician assistants; establishing the Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment
Program Advisory Council for Physicians and Physician Assistants to assist the
Department in the administration of the Program; and generally relating to the
Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment Program for Physicians and Physician
Assistants.
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments,
Article – Health – General
Section 24–1703
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2019 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement)
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article – Health – General
Section 24–1704
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2019 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement)
BY adding to
Article – Health – General
Section 24–1708
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2019 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement)
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:
Article – Health – General
24–1703.
There is a Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment Pro gram for Physicians and
Physician Assistants in the State.
Ch. 395 2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND
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24–1704.
(a) (1) In this section[, “eligible] THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE
MEANINGS INDICATED .
(2) (I) “ELIGIBLE field of employment” means employment by an
organization, institution, association, society, or corporation that is exempt from taxation
under § 501(c)(3) or (4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
[(2)] (II) “Eligible field of employment” includes employment by the State
or any local government in the State.
(3) “PHYSICIAN” INCLUDES A PART –TIME PHYSICIAN.
(4) “PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT ” INCLUDES A PART –TIME PHYSICIAN
ASSISTANT.
(b) (1) The Department shall assist in the repayment with the funds
transferred to the Department by the Comptroller under § 14–207(d) of the Health
Occupations Article of the amount of education loans owed by a physician or physician
assistant who:
[(1)] (i) 1. Practices primary care in an eligible field of employment
in a geographic area of the State that has been federally designated; or
[(ii)] 2. Is a medical resident specializing in primary care who
agrees to practice for at least 2 years as a primary care physician in an eligible field of
employment in a geographic area of the State that has been federally designated; and
[(2)] (II) Meets any other requirements established by the Department.
(2) THE DEPARTMENT MAY ESTABL ISH PRORATED LOAN RE PAYMENT
ASSISTANCE FOR A PAR T–TIME PHYSICIAN OR PA RT–TIME PHYSICIAN AS SISTANT
PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM.
(c) Any unspent portions of the money that is transferred to the Department for
use under this subtitle from the Board of Physicians Fund may not be transferred to or
revert to the General Fund of the State, but shall remain in the Fund maintained by the
Department to administer the Program.
24–1708.
(A) IN THIS SECTION , “COUNCIL” MEANS THE MARYLAND LOAN
ASSISTANCE REPAYMENT PROGRAM ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR PHYSICIANS AND
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS. LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 395
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(B) THERE IS A MARYLAND LOAN ASSISTANCE REPAYMENT PROGRAM
ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR PHYSICIANS AND PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS.
(C) THE COUNCIL CONSISTS OF T HE FOLLOWING MEMBERS :
(1) THE CHAIR OF THE HEALTH SERVICES COST REVIEW
COMMISSION, OR THE CHAIR’S DESIGNEE;
(2) THE CHAIR OF THE MARYLAND HEALTH CARE COMMISSION, OR
THE CHAIR’S DESIGNEE;
(3) THE PRESIDENT OF THE MARYLAND HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION, OR
THE PRESIDENT’S DESIGNEE;
(4) THE DEAN OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SCHOOL OF
MEDICINE, OR THE DEAN’S DESIGNEE;
(5) THE DEAN OF THE JOHNS HOPKINS SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, OR
THE DEAN’S DESIGNEE;
(6) THE PRESIDENT OF MEDCHI, OR THE PRESIDENT’S DESIGNEE;
(7) ONE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PRIMARY CARE OFFICE IN THE
OFFICE OF POPULATION HEALTH IMPROVEMENT ;
(8) ONE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE STATE BOARD OF PHYSICIANS;
(9) ONE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MARYLAND ACADEMY OF
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS; AND
(10) ANY OTHER MEMBERS AS DETERMINED NECESSARY BY THE
SECRETARY.
(D) (1) THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL SHALL SELECT THE CHAIR OF
THE COUNCIL.
(2) A MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL:
(I) MAY NOT RECEIVE COMPE NSATION AS A MEMBER OF THE
COUNCIL; BUT
Ch. 395 2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND
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(II) IS ENTITLED TO REIMBU RSEMENT FOR EXPENSES UNDER
THE STANDARD STATE TRAVEL REGULATIONS, AS PROVIDED IN THE STATE
BUDGET.
(3) THE COUNCIL SHALL MEE T AT LEAST THREE TIM ES A YEAR.
(E) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROV IDE STAFF FOR THE COUNCIL.
(F) THE COUNCIL SHALL:
(1) SEEK PERMANENT AND DI VERSE REVENUE SOURCE S TO AID IN
THE STABILITY AND FU RTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROGRAM;
(2) HELP ENSURE MAXIMUM USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS ;
(3) USE AVAILABLE DATA AN D INFORMATION TO HEL P DIRECT
FUNDING TO PRIORITY AREAS;
(4) MONITOR SIMILAR LOAN PROGRAMS IN OTHER ST ATES AND
ENSURE THAT THE PROGRAM REMAINS COMPE TITIVE;
(5) ASSIST THE DEPARTMENT IN THE ADM INISTRATION OF THE
PROGRAM;
(6) HELP MARKET AND RAISE AWARENESS OF THE PROGRAM
THROUGH EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND OTH ER APPROPRIATE ENTIT IES AS AN
INCENTIVE TO HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS TO PR ACTICE IN UNDERSERVE D AREAS;
AND
(7) MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNOR AND THE
GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON ANY NECES SARY CHANGES TO THE PROGRAM.
(G) ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1 EACH YEAR, THE COUNCIL SHALL REPORT
TO THE GOVERNOR AND , IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE
GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON THE ACTIV ITIES AND
RECOMMENDATIONS OF T HE COUNCIL.
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July
1, 2022.
Approved by the Governor, May 16, 2022.