In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Education loan” means any loan that is obtained for tuition, educational expenses, or living expenses for undergraduate or graduate study leading to practice as a physician or physician assistant. “Fund” means the Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment Program Fund. “Primary care” includes: Primary care; Family medicine; Internal medicine; Obstetrics; Pediatrics; Geriatrics; Emergency medicine; Women’s health; Psychiatry; and Preventative medicine. “Program” means the Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment Program for Physicians and Physician Assistants.

There is a Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment Program Fund in the State. The Fund is a continuing, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article. The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund. The Fund shall be invested and reinvested in the same manner as other State funds. Any investment earnings of the Fund shall be paid into the Fund. The Fund consists of: Revenue generated through a permanent funding structure recommended to the General Assembly by a stakeholder workgroup convened by the Department; and Any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the Fund. Expenditures from the Fund shall be made by an appropriation in the annual State budget or by an approved budget amendment as provided under § 7–209 of the State Finance and Procurement Article. The money in the Fund shall be used by the Department to administer the Program.

There is a Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment Program for Physicians and Physician Assistants in the State.

In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. “Eligible field of employment” means employment by an organization, institution, association, society, or corporation that is exempt from taxation under § 501(c)(3) or (4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. “Eligible field of employment” includes employment by the State or any local government in the State. “Physician” includes a part–time physician. “Physician assistant” includes a part–time physician assistant. The Department shall assist in the repayment with the funds transferred to the Department by the Comptroller under § 14–207(d) of the Health Occupations Article of the amount of education loans owed by a physician or physician assistant who: Practices primary care in an eligible field of employment in a geographic area of the State that has been federally designated; or Is a medical resident specializing in primary care who agrees to practice for at least 2 years as a primary care physician in an eligible field of employment in a geographic area of the State that has been federally designated; and Meets any other requirements established by the Department. The Department may establish prorated loan repayment assistance for a part–time physician or part–time physician assistant participating in the Program. Any unspent portions of the money that is transferred to the Department for use under this subtitle from the Board of Physicians Fund may not be transferred to or revert to the General Fund of the State, but shall remain in the Fund maintained by the Department to administer the Program.

In addition to the assistance provided under § 24–1704 of this subtitle, the Department may, subject to the availability of money in the Fund, assist in the repayment of an education loan owed by a physician or physician assistant who: Practices a medical specialty that has been identified by the Department as being in shortage in the geographic area of the State where the physician or physician assistant practices that specialty; and Commits to practicing in the area for a period of time determined by the Department. The Department shall prioritize funding for the repayment of education loans through the Program in the following order: Physicians and physician assistants that meet the requirements under § 24–1704(b) of this subtitle; Physicians and physician assistants practicing primary care in a geographic area where the Department has identified a shortage of primary care physicians or physician assistants; and Physicians and physician assistants practicing a medical specialty other than primary care in a geographic area where the Department has identified a shortage of that specialty.

The Department shall adopt regulations to implement the provisions of this subtitle, including: Establishing the maximum number of participants in the Program each year in each priority area described under § 24–1705 of this subtitle; and Establishing the minimum and maximum amount of loan repayment assistance awarded under this subtitle in each priority area described under § 24–1705 of this subtitle.

On or before October 1, 2021, and each October 1 thereafter, the Department shall report to the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on: The eligible physicians, physician assistants, and medical residents who applied for the Program, including information on: The specialty of the physician, physician assistant, or medical resident; The type and location of the site in which the physician, physician assistant, or medical resident provided services; and The geographic area served by the physician, physician assistant, or medical resident; and The physicians, physician assistants, and medical residents who participated in the Program, including information on: The amount of assistance provided to each participant; The specialty of the participant; The type and location of the site in which the participant provided services; and The geographic area served by the participant.

In this section, “Council” means the Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment Program Advisory Council for Physicians and Physician Assistants. There is a Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment Program Advisory Council for Physicians and Physician Assistants. The Council consists of the following members: The Chair of the Health Services Cost Review Commission, or the Chair’s designee; The Chair of the Maryland Health Care Commission, or the Chair’s designee; The President of the Maryland Hospital Association, or the President’s designee; The Dean of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, or the Dean’s designee; The Dean of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, or the Dean’s designee; The President of MedChi, or the President’s designee; One representative of the Primary Care Office in the Office of Population Health Improvement; One representative of the State Board of Physicians; One representative of the Maryland Academy of Physician Assistants; and Any other members as determined necessary by the Secretary. The members of the Council shall select the chair of the Council. A member of the Council: May not receive compensation as a member of the Council; but Is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget. The Council shall meet at least three times a year. The Department shall provide staff for the Council. The Council shall: Seek permanent and diverse revenue sources to aid in the stability and further development of the Program; Help ensure maximum use of federal funds; Use available data and information to help direct funding to priority areas; Monitor similar loan programs in other states and ensure that the Program remains competitive; Assist the Department in the administration of the Program; Help market and raise awareness of the Program through educational institutions and other appropriate entities as an incentive to health care providers to practice in underserved areas; and Make recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly on any necessary changes to the Program. On or before October 1, 2028, and every 3 years thereafter, the Council shall report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly on the activities and recommendations of the Council.