H. B. 2557

(By Delegates Prezioso, Ball, Beach, Heck, Kallai, Henderson and Anderson)
(Originating in the Committee on Education)
[February 17, 1995]

A BILL to amend and reenact article three, chapter eighteen-c of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty- one, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated section three, relating to the creation of the health sciences scholarship program.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That article three, chapter eighteen-c of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated section three, to read as follows:

ARTICLE 3. HEALTH PROFESSIONALS STUDENT LOAN PROGRAMS.

§18C-3-3. Health sciences scholarship program; establishment; administration; eligibility.

(a) Legislative findings--The Legislature finds that there is a critical need for additional practicing health care professionals in West Virginia. Therefore, there is hereby created a health sciences scholarship program to be administered by the vice chancellor of health sciences. The purpose of this program is to provide an incentive for health professional students to complete their training and provide primary care in underserved areas of West Virginia.
(b) Establishment of special account--There is hereby established a special revolving fund account under the board of trustees in the state treasury to be known as the health sciences scholarship fund that shall be used to carry out the purposes of this section. The fund shall consist of one or more of the following: (1) All unexpended health sciences scholarship funds on deposit in the state treasury on the effective date of this section; (2) appropriations provided by the Legislature; (3) repayments, including interest as set by the vice chancellor of health sciences, collected from scholarship recipients who fail to practice in West Virginia under the terms of the scholarship agreement as set forth under this section; or (4) amounts that may become available from other sources. Balances remaining in the fund at the end of the fiscal year shall not expire or revert. All costs associated with the administration of this section shall be paid from the health sciences scholarship fund under the direction of the vice chancellor of health sciences.
(c) Eligibility requirements--An individual is eligible for consideration for a health sciences scholarship; if the individual (1) is (a) a fourth-year medical student at the Marshall university school of medicine, West Virginia school of osteopathic medicine or West Virginia university school of medicine who has been accepted in a primary care internship/residency program in West Virginia; or (b) is enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an approved education program at a West Virginia institution leading to a degree or certification in the field of nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, physician assistant, or other disciplines identified as shortage fields by the vice chancellor of health sciences; and (2) signs an agreement to practice for at least two years in an underserved area of West Virginia as determined by the bureau of public health. Awarding preference will be given to West Virginia residents.
(d) Scholarship awards--Scholarships shall be in the amount of ten thousand dollars and may be awarded by the vice chancellor of health sciences, with the advice of an advisory panel, from the pool of all applicants with a commitment to practice in an underserved area of West Virginia as determined by the bureau of public health. Nothing herein shall be construed as granting or guaranteeing any applicant any right to such a scholarship.
(e) Repayment provisions--A scholarship recipient who has an opportunity but fails to practice in an underserved area of West Virginia within six months of the completion of his or her training, or who fails to complete his or her training, is in breach of contract and is liable for repayment of the total scholarship amount received plus interest. Repayment terms shall be established by the vice chancellor of health sciences.
(f) Promulgation of rules--The board of trustees shall promulgate rules necessary for the operation of this section.