The proposed bill establishes the "Attorney Training Program for Rural Kansas Act," aimed at encouraging attorneys and law students to practice in rural areas of Kansas. It creates a fund to provide financial assistance to law students enrolled at Washburn University and the University of Kansas, offering loans up to $30,000 per year for tuition and related expenses. In exchange, participants must commit to practicing law in a rural community for at least 12 continuous months for each year they receive funding. The bill also establishes an advisory committee to oversee the program and ensure compliance with its requirements.
Additionally, the bill introduces a loan repayment program for eligible rural attorneys, which will cover part of their educational loan expenses. To qualify, attorneys must reside in a rural community, hold a law degree, and practice law in that community. The program will provide up to $20,000 annually for a maximum of five years, contingent upon the attorney's commitment to practice law in a rural area. The bill outlines the administration of these programs, including reporting requirements and the establishment of the Attorney Training Program for Rural Kansas Fund to manage the financial resources allocated for these initiatives.