The bill amends South Dakota's rural recruitment assistance program to expand eligibility to include chiropractors and optometrists, alongside existing health care professionals such as certified nurse midwives, certified nurse practitioners, dentists, physicians, and physician assistants. Specifically, it modifies Section 34-12G-1 to list these additional professions and outlines the eligibility criteria for each, including a commitment to practice in an eligible rural community for a minimum of three years. The bill also establishes new sections detailing the specific requirements for chiropractors and optometrists, including licensing and practice commitments, while maintaining limits on the number of participants from each profession.

Additionally, the bill makes several amendments to existing sections, including changes to the incentive payment structure for health care professionals who fulfill the program's requirements. It specifies that a community must contribute a portion of the total incentive payment based on its population size, with different percentages outlined for communities of varying sizes. The amendments also clarify the payment process and conditions under which the incentive payments are made, ensuring that health care professionals receive their payments upon completion of the required practice period. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the recruitment of essential health care providers in rural areas of South Dakota.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 01/22/2025: 34-12G-1, 34-12G-3, 34-12G-4, 34-12G-5