23.0326.02000
Sixty-eighth
Legislative Assembly SENATE BILL NO. 2344
of North Dakota
Introduced by
Senator K. Roers
1 A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact section 43-12.3-06 of the North Dakota Century Code,
2 relating to the health care professional student loan repayment program; and to provide an
3 appropriation.
4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NORTH DAKOTA:
5 SECTION 1. AMENDMENT. Section 43-12.3-06 of the North Dakota Century Code is
6 amended and reenacted as follows:
7 43-12.3-06. Student loan repayment program - Contract.
8 1. The health council shall enter a contract with a selected health care professional. The
9 health council shall agree to provide student loan repayments on behalf of the
10 selected health care professional subject to the requirements and limitations of this
11 section.
12 a. For a physician:
13 (1) The loan repayment may not exceed twenty thousand dollars per year, and
14 may not exceed one hundred thousand dollars over five years; and
15 (2) The matching funds must equal fifty percent of the amount required in
16 paragraph 1.
17 b. For a clinical psychologist:
18 (1) The loan repayment may not exceed twelve thousand dollars per year, and
19 may not exceed sixty thousand dollars over five years; and
20 (2) The matching funds must equal twenty-five percent of the amount required
21 in paragraph 1.
22 c. For an advanced practice registered nurse or a physician assistant:
23 (1) The loan repayment may not exceed four thousand dollars per year, and
24 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;
14 (5) A specialty practice registered nurse; or
15 (6) A licensed behavior analyst.
16 f. For a public health professional:
17 (1) The loan repayment may not exceed four thousand dollars per year and
18 may not exceed twenty thousand dollars over five years; and
19 (2) The matching funds must equal ten percent of the amount required in
20 paragraph 1.
21 2. a. Payments under this section must be made on behalf of the health care
22 professional directly to the Bank of North Dakota or to another participating
23 lending institution.
24 b. Except as otherwise provided, payments under this section may be made only at
25 the conclusion of each twelve monthtwelve-month period of service.
26 c. Prorated payments may be made only if:
27 (1) The repayment of the loan requires less than a full annual payment;
28 (2) The health care professional is terminated or resigns from his or her
29 position; or
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1 (3) The health care professional is unable to complete a twelve-month period of
2 service due to the individual's death, a certifiable medical condition or
3 disability, or a call to military service.
4 3. Payments under this section terminate upon the earlier of:
5 a. The full repayment of the health care professional's student loan; or
6 b. The completion of five years as a participant in the student loan repayment
7 program.
8 4. The health council shall waive the requirements of this section thatwhich pertain to
9 matching funds if the health care professional opens a new practice as a solo
10 practitioner in a city that has fewer than fifteen thousand residents.
11 SECTION 2. APPROPRIATION - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES -
12 HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM. There is
13 appropriated out of any moneys in the general fund in the state treasury, not otherwise
14 appropriated, the sum of $24,000, or so much of the sum as may be necessary, to the
15 department of health and human services for the purpose of funding two slots for public health
16 professionals under the health care professional student loan repayment program, for the
17 biennium beginning July 1, 2023, and ending June 30, 2025.
Page No. 3 23.0326.02000
Statutes affected: INTRODUCED: 43-12.3-06
FIRST ENGROSSMENT: 43-12.3-06
SECOND ENGROSSMENT: 43-12.3-06
Enrollment: 43-12.3-06