The 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 from Washburn University and the University of Kansas, who agree to practice law in rural communities after graduation. The program includes a loan system where eligible law students can receive up to $30,000 per year for tuition and related expenses, with the loans forgiven upon fulfilling specific obligations, such as completing their law degree and practicing law in a rural area for at least 12 continuous months for each year they received funding.
Additionally, the bill establishes an advisory committee to oversee the program and a loan repayment assistance program for rural attorneys. Eligible attorneys can receive up to $20,000 annually for a maximum of five years, provided they meet certain criteria, including residing and practicing in a rural community. The bill outlines the conditions under which obligations can be postponed or satisfied, such as medical disabilities or permanent inability to practice law. The funds allocated for these programs will be managed by the judicial administrator and are intended solely for the purposes outlined in the act.