The bill establishes a new specialty practice student loan program and creates a specialty medical loan repayment fund, while abolishing the existing psychiatry and OBGYN medical loan repayment funds. It allows for the transfer of funds from the abolished funds to the new specialty medical loan repayment fund. The University of Kansas School of Medicine is authorized to enter into loan agreements with students pursuing approved specialties, contingent upon their commitment to practice full-time in designated service commitment areas. The chancellor of the university will have the authority to determine workforce needs and eligible specialties, as well as to evaluate service commitment areas based on various community health metrics.

In addition to creating the new framework, the bill amends several sections of existing law, including K.S.A. 76-384 and K.S.A. 2024 Supp. 76-381, 76-382, and 76-385, with notable deletions of specific language regarding the psychiatry and OBGYN loan repayment funds and provisions related to medical student loan agreements. The repayment obligations for individuals who fail to meet their service commitments are clarified, including a 15% annual interest rate on unpaid amounts. The repayment of loans will occur in no more than ten equal annual installments, beginning six months after a failure to meet the obligations, with immediate payment due if any installment is overdue by 91 days. Overall, the legislation aims to enhance the availability of healthcare professionals in underserved areas of Kansas by providing financial incentives for medical students.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 76-380, 76-386, 76-381, 76-382, 76-384, 76-385