21.0747.01000
Sixty-seventh
Legislative Assembly SENATE BILL NO. 2177
of North Dakota
Introduced by
Senators Lee, Dever, Poolman
Representatives Sanford, Schreiber-Beck, Weisz
1 A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact section 43-12.3-06 of the North Dakota Century Code,
2 relating to school counselors' eligibility for a student loan repayment program.
3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NORTH DAKOTA:
4 SECTION 1. AMENDMENT. Section 43-12.3-06 of the North Dakota Century Code is
5 amended and reenacted as follows:
6 43-12.3-06. Student loan repayment program - Contract.
7 1. The health council shall enter a contract with a selected health care professional. The
8 health council shall agree to provide student loan repayments on behalf of the
9 selected health care professional subject to the requirements and limitations of this
10 section.
11 a. For a physician:
12 (1) The loan repayment may not exceed twenty thousand dollars per year, and
13 may not exceed one hundred thousand dollars over five years; and
14 (2) The matching funds must equal fifty percent of the amount required in
15 paragraph 1.
16 b. For a clinical psychologist:
17 (1) The loan repayment may not exceed twelve thousand dollars per year, and
18 may not exceed sixty thousand dollars over five years; and
19 (2) The matching funds must equal twenty-five percent of the amount required
20 in paragraph 1.
21 c. For an advanced practice registered nurse or a physician assistant:
22 (1) The loan repayment may not exceed four thousand dollars per year, and
23 may not exceed twenty thousand dollars over five years; and
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Legislative Assembly
1 (2) The matching funds must equal ten percent of the amount required in
2 paragraph 1.
3 d. For a behavioral health professional:
4 (1) The loan repayment may not exceed four thousand dollars per year, and
5 may not exceed twenty thousand dollars over five years; and
6 (2) The matching funds must equal ten percent of the amount required in
7 paragraph 1.
8 e. For purposes of this section, a behavioral health professional means an
9 individual who practices in the behavioral health field and is:
10 (1) A licensed addiction counselor;
11 (2) A licensed professional counselor;
12 (3) A licensed social worker;
13 (4) A registered nurse; or
14 (5) A school counselor; or
15 (6) A specialty practice registered nurse.
16 2. a. Payments under this section must be made on behalf of the health care
17 professional directly to the Bank of North Dakota or to another participating
18 lending institution.
19 b. Except as otherwise provided, payments under this section may be made only at
20 the conclusion of each twelve month period of service.
21 c. Prorated payments may be made only if:
22 (1) The repayment of the loan requires less than a full annual payment;
23 (2) The health care professional is terminated or resigns from his or her
24 position; or
25 (3) The health care professional is unable to complete a twelve-month period of
26 service due to the individual's death, a certifiable medical condition or
27 disability, or a call to military service.
28 3. Payments under this section terminate upon the earlier of:
29 a. The full repayment of the health care professional's student loan; or
30 b. The completion of five years as a participant in the student loan repayment
31 program.
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Legislative Assembly
1 4. The health council shall waive the requirements of this section that pertain to matching
2 funds if the health care professional opens a new practice as a solo practitioner in a
3 city that has fewer than fifteen thousand residents.
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Statutes affected: INTRODUCED: 43-12.3-06