SPONSOR: Diehl
This bill modifies provisions relating to the existing "Health Professional Student Loan Repayment Program" by renaming it to the "Missouri State Loan Repayment Program (MOSLRP) and expanding the the program to include those who have graduated from an accredited graduate training program in a discipline required in order to practice as an allopathic medical doctor; an osteopathic medical doctor; a general dentist; a dental hygienist; a registered nurse; a physician assistant; a psychologist; a licensed clinical social worker; a licensed professional counselor; a marital and family therapist; or a pharmacist.
Existing definitions are modified, and new definitions are added, to incorporate the newly applicable professions.
Current law requires, in order to be eligible to participate in the program, that a person is enrolled as either a full-time medical student, dental student, or chiropractic student, and is in the final year of course study, or that a person is licensed to practice in these fields. This provision is repealed and replaced with the requirement that the person is authorized to practice as any type of health professional defined in Section 191.603, RSMo.
Current law establishes liability to the state for individuals who have entered into written contracts with the Department of Health and Senior Services and who either fail to maintain an acceptable level of academic standing, who voluntarily terminate such enrollment, or who are dismissed from the institution; these persons are liable to the state for the amount that has been paid on their behalf under the contract. This bill repeals that provision.
Statutes affected: