Rural Physicians and Rural Dentists Retention Loan Repayment Programs; create.

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To: Public Health and Human
Services; Appropriations A
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Representative Creekmore IV

HOUSE BILL NO. 512

AN ACT TO CREATE THE RURAL PHYSICIANS RETENTION LOAN 1
REPAYMENT PROGRAM AND THE RURAL DENTISTS RETENTION LOAN REPAYMENT 2
PROGRAM; TO PRESCRIBE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR LOAN REPAYMENT 3
UNDER THE PROGRAMS, INCLUDING EMPLOYMENT AT CERTAIN RURAL 4
HOSPITALS AND CLINICS AND IN CERTAIN COMMUNITIES; TO AUTHORIZE UP 5
TO TEN ANNUAL AWARDS UNDER EACH PROGRAM UPON COMPLETION OF EACH 6
YEAR AT A QUALIFYING HOSPITAL, CLINIC OR OTHER HEALTH CARE 7
FACILITY OR IN A QUALIFYING COMMUNITY; TO REQUIRE THE 8
POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BOARD TO ADMINISTER 9
THE PROGRAM; TO ESTABLISH THE RURAL PHYSICIANS RETENTION LOAN 10
REPAYMENT PROGRAM FUND AND THE RURAL DENTISTS RETENTION LOAN 11
REPAYMENT PROGRAM FUND IN THE STATE TREASURY; TO BRING FORWARD 12
SECTIONS 37-144-1 THROUGH 37-144-21, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, 13
WHICH CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI RURAL PHYSICIANS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, 14
FOR THE PURPOSE OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; TO CREATE NEW SECTION 15
37-144-23, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REPEAL THE MISSISSIPPI 16
RURAL PHYSICIANS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AT SUCH TIME AS THE LAST 17
CLASS OF RECIPIENTS HAS COMPLETED THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE PROGRAM; 18
TO BRING FORWARD SECTIONS 37-146-1 THROUGH 37-146-21, MISSISSIPPI 19
CODE OF 1972, WHICH CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI RURAL DENTISTS 20
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, FOR THE PURPOSE OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; TO 21
CREATE NEW SECTION 37-146-23, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REPEAL 22
THE MISSISSIPPI RURAL DENTISTS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AT SUCH TIME AS 23
THE LAST CLASS OF RECIPIENTS HAS COMPLETED THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE 24
PROGRAM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 25
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 26
SECTION 1. (1) There is established the Rural Physicians 27
Retention Loan Repayment Program for physicians serving in rural 28
hospitals, clinics and communities in Mississippi. 29
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(2) An eligible applicant for an initial award must: 30
(a) Be a legal resident of the State of Mississippi; 31
(b) Have gained employment or secured contractual work 32
as a full-time physician: 33
(i) At a general acute care hospital within a 34
super rural ZIP code, as designated by the Centers for Medicare 35
and Medicaid Services, or a clinic affiliated with a general acute 36
care hospital within a super rural ZIP code; 37
(ii) At a Rural Emergency Hospital (REH), as 38
designated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or a 39
clinic affiliated with a Rural Emergency Hospital; 40
(iii) At a Critical Access Hospital (CAH), as 41
designated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or a 42
clinic affiliated with a Critical Access Hospital; 43
(iv) At a general acute care hospital or an 44
affiliated clinic in Bolivar, Coahoma, Carroll, Holmes, Humphreys, 45
Issaquena, Leflore, Panola, Quitman, Sharkey, Sunflower, 46
Tallahatchie, Tate, Tunica, Washington or Yazoo Counties; or 47
(v) In a community within the State of Mississippi 48
with a population of fifteen thousand (15,000) or fewer people, 49
according to the most recent federal decennial census; 50
(c) Possess a current unencumbered license from the 51
State Board of Medical Licensure; and 52
(d) Possess outstanding qualifying educational loans 53
received at any point during the recipient's postsecondary 54
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educational career, which may include the principal, interest and 55
related expenses, such as the required interest premium on the 56
unpaid balances of government and commercial loans obtained by the 57
recipient for educational expense. 58
(3) The hospital or clinic where a recipient is serving must 59
be located in the State of Mississippi and licensed by the State 60
Department of Health. The hospital, clinic or community where the 61
recipient is serving shall not be in a metropolitan statistical 62
area, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau. 63
(4) Subject to the availability of funds, annual awards for 64
eligible recipients who are employed at a hospital or affiliated 65
clinic described under subsections (2)(b)(i) through (2)(b)(iv) 66
and (3) of this section ("qualifying hospital or clinic") are as 67
follows: 68
(a) Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000.00) for the 69
initial award; 70
(b) Thirty-five Thousand Dollars ($35,000.00) for the 71
second award; 72
(c) Forty Thousand Dollars ($40,000.00) for the third 73
award; 74
(d) Forty-five Thousand Dollars ($45,000.00) for the 75
fourth award; and 76
(e) Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) for the fifth 77
award. 78
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(5) Subject to the availability of funds, annual awards for 79
eligible recipients who are employed in a community described 80
under subsections (2)(b)(v) and (3) of this section ("qualifying 81
community") are as follows: 82
(a) Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($7,500.00) for 83
the initial award; 84
(b) Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) for the second 85
award; 86
(c) Twelve Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($12,500.00) 87
for the third award; 88
(d) Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00) for the 89
fourth award; and 90
(e) Seventeen Thousand Five Hundred Dollars 91
($17,500.00) for the fifth award. 92
(6) In order to be eligible to receive an award established 93
in subsection (4) or (5) of this section for the next succeeding 94
year, a recipient must retain eligibility during each year of the 95
program. 96
(7) Persons who have received funds from a state forgivable 97
loan program established under the laws of this state or who are 98
in default or delinquent on a federal, state, local or commercial 99
qualifying educational loan shall not be eligible for the program. 100
(8) Initial recipients in the program shall be selected on a 101
first-come, first-served basis from all eligible applicants, 102
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subject to the availability of funds. However, priority 103
consideration shall be given to: 104
(a) Recent graduates of a school of medicine accredited 105
by the State of Mississippi; 106
(b) Students enrolled in a medical school in this state 107
on July 1, 2026; 108
(c) Students and physicians who are participating in 109
the Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program created under 110
Section 37-144-1 et seq. on June 30, 2026, but only if the 111
Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Commission and the 112
Postsecondary Education Financial Assistance Board enter into an 113
agreement providing for an equitable transition from the 114
Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program to the Rural 115
Physicians Retention Loan Repayment Program that fairly addresses 116
all rights and obligations of a particular recipient and the 117
state; 118
(d) Licensed physicians practicing in a qualifying 119
hospital, clinic or community that has not been a beneficiary of 120
the program for the three (3) preceding years; 121
(e) Licensed physicians practicing in a qualifying 122
hospital or clinic described in subsections (2)(b)(i) through 123
(2)(b)(iv) of this section; and 124
(f) Licensed physicians practicing in obstetrics or a 125
specialty that is not currently available in the community in 126
which the recipient is serving. 127
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(9) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section to 128
the contrary, the Postsecondary Education Financial Assistance 129
Board may limit the acceptance of applications and limit the 130
number of awards for any fiscal year. 131
(10) A recipient shall not be penalized for ending 132
employment at one (1) qualifying hospital or clinic or in one (1) 133
qualifying community if the recipient begins working at another 134
qualifying hospital or clinic or in another qualifying community 135
during the same year for which the award was given. However, if 136
the recipient is moving from a qualifying hospital or clinic as 137
described in subsections (2)(b)(i) through (2)(b)(iv) of this 138
section to a qualifying community described in section (2)(b)(v) 139
of this section, the award shall be based on the award amount 140
corresponding with the year of service provided in subsection (5) 141
of this section. 142
(11) Awards shall be granted to eligible recipients on an 143
annual basis. A recipient who fails to retain eligibility shall 144
not receive subsequent awards authorized under subsection (4) or 145
(5) of this section. 146
(12) Upon completion of each year for which an award was 147
granted, the applicable award for that year shall be paid to the 148
recipient's lender or loan service provider to be applied to the 149
outstanding balance of the recipient's loans. Monies paid by the 150
recipient or on the recipient's behalf toward qualifying 151
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educational loans before the payment of an award shall not be 152
eligible for reimbursement through the program. 153
(13) During the employment year for which an award is 154
granted, a recipient shall keep the Postsecondary Education 155
Financial Assistance Board informed of any changes to the 156
recipient's current employment or contract information and status 157
at all times. 158
(14) Recipients who fail to maintain a current unencumbered 159
license from the State Board of Medical Licensure or to fulfill 160
the year of employment or contractual work on which an award was 161
based shall forfeit all rights to that award. 162
(15) The Postsecondary Education Financial Assistance Board, 163
in collaboration with the State Department of Health and any other 164
state agency determined applicable by the Postsecondary Education 165
Financial Assistance Board, shall track each recipient of an award 166
under the program through the sixth year after the recipient 167
receives an initial award unless the recipient leaves employment 168
at a qualifying hospital, clinic or community at an earlier date. 169
Data collected shall include each recipient's place of employment 170
and any other pertinent information necessary to determine the 171
efficacy of the program in retaining physicians employed in rural 172
hospitals and clinics in the state. 173
(16) The Postsecondary Education Financial Assistance Board 174
shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the proper 175
administration of the program, including rules for ensuring that 176
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the expenses of the program during a fiscal year do not exceed 177
funding available for the program in that fiscal year. 178
(17) There is established in the State Treasury a special 179
fund to be designated as the Rural Physicians Retention Loan 180
Repayment Program Fund, into which are deposited those funds 181
appropriated by the Legislature and any other funds, including, 182
but not limited to, funds from the Rural Health Transformation 183
Fund, Public Law No. 119-21, that may be made available for the 184
purpose of implementing the loan repayment program established 185
under this section. Money in the fund at the end of a fiscal year 186
shall not lapse into the General Fund, and interest earned on any 187
amounts deposited into the fund must be credited to the special 188
fund. All monies shall be disbursed in compliance with applicable 189
state and federal law and guidelines, guidance, rules, regulations 190
and/or other criteria, as may be amended from time to time. 191
SECTION 2. (1) There is established the Rural Dentists 192
Retention Loan Repayment Program for dentists serving in rural 193
communities in Mississippi. Such program shall be known and may 194
be cited as the Dr. G. Norris Howell Rural Dentists Retention Loan 195
Repayment Program. 196
(2) An eligible applicant for an initial award must: 197
(a) Be a legal resident of the State of Mississippi; 198
(b) Have gained employment or secured contractual work 199
as a full-time dentist: 200
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(i) In a community located in Bolivar, Coahoma, 201
Carroll, Holmes, Humphreys, Issaquena, Leflore, Panola, Quitman, 202
Sharkey, Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Tate, Tunica, Washington or 203
Yazoo Counties; or 204
(ii) In a community within the State of 205
Mississippi with a population of fifteen thousand (15,000) or 206
fewer people, according to the most recent federal decennial 207
census. 208
(c) Possess a current unencumbered license from the 209
State Board of Dental Examiners; and 210
(d) Possess outstanding qualifying educational loans 211
received at any point during the recipient's postsecondary 212
educational career, which may include the principal, interest and 213
related expenses, such as the required interest premium on the 214
unpaid balances of government and commercial loans obtained by the 215
recipient for educational expense. 216
(3) The clinic or other health care facility where a 217
recipient is serving must be licensed by the State Department of 218
Health. The community where the recipient is serving may not be 219
in a metropolitan statistical area, as defined by the U.S. Census 220
Bureau. 221
(4) Subject to the availability of funds, annual awards for 222
eligible recipients who are employed in a community described in 223
subsection (2)(b)(i) of this section are as follows: 224
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(a) Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000.00) for the 225
initial award; 226
(b) Thirty-five Thousand Dollars ($35,000.00) for the 227
second award; 228
(c) Forty Thousand Dollars ($40,000.00) for the third 229
award; 230
(d) Forty-five Thousand Dollars ($45,000.00) for the 231
fourth award; and 232
(e) Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) for the fifth 233
award. 234
(5) Subject to the availability of funds, annual awards for 235
eligible recipients who are employed in a community described in 236
subsection (2)(b)(ii) of this section are as follows: 237
(a) Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($7,500.00) for 238
the initial award; 239
(b) Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) for the second 240
award; 241
(c) Twelve Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($12,500.00) 242
for the third award; 243
(d) Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00) for the 244
fourth award; and 245
(e) Seventeen Thousand Five Hundred Dollars 246
($17,500.00) for the fifth award. 247
(6) In order to be eligible to receive an award established 248
in subsection (4) or (5) of this section for the next succeeding 249
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year, a recipient must retain eligibility during each year of the 250
program. 251
(7) Persons who have received funds from a state forgivable 252
loan program established under the laws of this state or who are 253
in default or delinquent on a federal, state, local or commercial 254
qualifying educational loan shall not be eligible for the program. 255
(8) Initial recipients in the program shall be selected on a 256
first-come, first-served basis from all eligible applicants, 257
subject to the availability of funds. However, priority 258
consideration shall be given to: 259
(a) Recent graduates of a school of dentistry 260
accredited by the State of Mississippi; 261
(b) Students enrolled in a school of dentistry in this 262
state on July 1, 2026; 263
(c) Students and dentists who are participating in the 264
Mississippi Rural Dentists Scholarship Program created under 265
Section 37-146-1 et seq. on June 30, 2026, but only if the 266
Mississippi Rural Dentists Scholarship Commission and the 267
Postsecondary Education Financial Assistance Board enter into an 268
agreement providing for an equitable transition from the 269
Mississippi Rural Dentists Scholarship Program to the Mississippi 270
Rural Dentists Retention Loan Repayment Program that fairly 271
addresses all rights and obligations of a particular recipient and 272
the state; 273
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(d) Licensed dentists practicing in a qualifying county 274
or community that has not been a beneficiary of the program for 275
the three (3) preceding years; and 276
(e) Licensed dentists practicing in a community 277
described in subsection (2)(b)(i) of this section. 278
(9) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section to 279
the contrary, the Postsecondary Education Financial Assistance 280
Board may limit the acceptance of applications and limit the 281
number of awards for any fiscal year. 282
(10) A recipient shall not be penalized for ending 283
employment in one (1) qualifying county or community if the 284
recipient begins working at another qualifying county or community 285
during the same year for which the award was given. However, if 286
the recipient is moving from a clinic or other health care 287
facility in a qualifying community described in subsection 288
(2)(b)(i) of this section to a clinic or other health care 289
facility in a qualifying community described in section (2)(b)(ii) 290
of this section, the award shall be based on the award amount 291
corresponding with the year of service provided in subsection (5) 292
of this section. 293
(11) Awards shall be granted to eligible recipients on an 294
annual basis. A recipient who fails to retain eligibility may not 295
receive subsequent awards authorized under subsection (4) or (5) 296
of this section. 297
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(12) Upon completion of each year for which an award was 298
granted, the applicable award for that year shall be paid to the 299
recipient's lender or loan service provider to be applied to the 300
outstanding balance of the recipient's loans. Monies paid by the 301
recipient or on the recipient's behalf toward qualifying 302
educational loans before the payment of an award shall not be 303
eligible for reimbursement through the program. 304
(13) During the employment year for which an award is 305
granted, a recipient shall keep the Postsecondary Education 306
Financial Assistance Board informed of any changes to the 307
recipient's current employment or contract information and status 308
at all times. 309
(14) Recipients who fail to maintain a current unencumbered 310
license from the Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners or 311
fail to fulfill the year of employment or contractual work on 312
which an award was based forfeit all rights to that award. 313
(15) The Postsecondary Education Financial Assistance Board, 314
in collaboration with the State Department of Health and any other 315
state agency determined applicable by the Postsecondary Education 316
Financial Assistance Board, shall track each recipient of an award 317
under the program through the sixth year after the recipient 318
receives an initial award unless the recipient leaves employment 319
in a qualifying county or community. Data collected shall include 320
each recipient's place of employment and any other pertinent 321
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information necessary to determine the efficacy of the program in 322
retaining dentists employed in rural communities in the state. 323
(16) The Postsecondary Education Financial Assistance Board 324
shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the proper 325
administration of the program, including rules for ensuring that 326
the expenses of the program during a fiscal year do not exceed 327
funding available for the program in that fiscal year. 328
(17) There is established in the State Treasury a special 329
fund to be designated the Rural Dentists Retention Loan Repayment 330
Program Fund, into which are deposited those funds appropriated by 331
the Legislature and any other funds, including, but not limited 332
to, funds from the Rural Health Transformation Fund, Public Law 333
No. 119-21, that may be made available for the purpose of 334
implementing the loan repayment program established under this 335
section. Money in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not 336
lapse into the General Fund, and interest earned on any amounts 337
deposited into the fund must be credited to the special fund. All 338
monies shall be disbursed in compliance with applicable 339
guidelines, guidance, rules, regulations and/or other criteria, as 340
may be amended from time to time, by the state and federal 341
government. 342
SECTION 3. (1) Subject to appropriation by the Legislature, 343
the State Department of Health, in collaboration with the 344
Postsecondary Education Financial Assistance Board and any other 345
state agency determined applicable by the department, shall 346
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develop a communications and marketing plan to recruit students, 347
physicians and dentists to apply for the Rural Physicians 348
Retention Loan Repayment Program and the Rural Dentists Retention 349
Loan Repayment Program, and to ensure relevant qualifying 350
hospitals, clinics and other health care facilities across the 351
state are aware of the programs. Such program shall include 352
information that explains the differences in funding opportunities 353
from a scholarship program to a repayment program. 354
(2) (a) Subject to appropriation by the Legislature, the 355
State Department of Health shall develop a mentoring program for 356
students interested in participating in the Rural Physicians 357
Retention Loan Repayment Program or the Rural Dentists Retention 358
Loan Repayment Program, or who otherwise have indicated strong 359
interest in practicing in rural communities across the state. 360
(b) The department, in conjunction with schools of 361
medicine and dentistry accredited by the State of Mississippi, and 362
in conjunction with hospitals, clinics, other health care 363
facilities and communities described in subsection (2)(b) of 364
Section 1 and subsection (2)(b) of Section 2 of this act, shall 365
have the authority to provide students identified as candidates 366
for the Rural Physicians Retention Loan Repayment Program or the 367
Rural Dentists Retention Loan Repayment Program with faculty and 368
practicing physician or dentist mentors, and to develop other 369
programs designed to enhance the students' likelihood of admission 370
to medical or dental school and practice in a rural area in the 371
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state after licensure. Such programs shall include providing 372
students with the skills necessary for sustained and successful 373
medical or dental practice in rural Mississippi. 374
(3) The State Department of Health shall promulgate rules 375
and regulations necessary for the proper administration of the 376
marketing, communications and mentoring programs described in this 377
section, including rules for ensuring that the expenses of the 378
programs during a fiscal year do not exceed funding available for 379
the programs in that fiscal year. 380
SECTION 4. (1) Students and recipients of awards from the 381
Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program and the 382
Mississippi Rural Dentists Scholarship Program, respectively, 383
shall be allowed to continue their participation in such programs, 384
provided they otherwise meet the obligations and eligibility 385
requirements set forth in Section 37-144-1 et seq., and 37-146-1 386
et seq. Sections 1 through 3 of this act shall not be construed 387
to abridge the obligations or limitations of the scholarships and 388
contracts of such programs. 389
(2) On and after July 1, 2026, no new scholarships shall be 390
awarded under the Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program 391
or the Mississippi Rural Dentists Scholarship Program, and no new 392
students shall be admitted to either program. 393
(3) At such time that the last class of scholarship 394
recipients complete the obligations of the Mississippi Rural 395
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Physicians Scholarship Program and the Mississippi Rural Dentists 396
Scholarship Program, respectively, each program shall cease. 397
SECTION 5. Section 37-144-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 398
brought forward as follows: 399
37-144-1. There is established the Mississippi Rural 400
Physicians Scholarship Program for the purpose of identifying and 401
recruiting qualified university and college students for medical 402
or osteopathic school matriculation. The program shall consist of 403
three (3) distinct phases through which participants will 404
progress, including: 405
(a) Undergraduate premedical education; 406
(b) Medical or osteopathic school and residency; and 407
(c) Post-residency entry into medical practice in a 408
rural or underserved area of the State of Mississippi. 409
SECTION 6. Section 37-144-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 410
brought forward as follows: 411
37-144-3. (1) The Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship 412
Program shall be administered by a commission to be known as the 413
"Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Commission." The 414
commission shall be directed by a board composed of the following 415
members: 416
(a) Two (2) generalist physicians appointed by and from 417
the membership of the Mississippi State Medical Association, the 418
term of which shall be three (3) years and may be reappointed for 419
one (1) additional term; 420
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(b) One (1) generalist physician appointed by and from 421
the membership of each of the following organizations, the term of 422
which shall be three (3) years and may be reappointed for one (1) 423
additional term: 424
(i) Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians; 425
(ii) Mississippi Chapter, American College of 426
Physicians; 427
(iii) Mississippi Chapter, American Academy of 428
Pediatrics; 429
(iv) Mississippi Chapter, American College of 430
OB-GYN; 431
(v) Mississippi Psychiatric Association; 432
(vi) Mississippi Medical and Surgical Association; 433
(vii) Mississippi Osteopathic Association; 434
(c) Two (2) designees of the Dean of the University of 435
Mississippi School of Medicine whose terms are at the discretion 436
of the dean, at least one (1) of whom is a member of the 437
University of Mississippi School of Medicine Admissions Committee; 438
(d) Two (2) medical students, one (1) of whom shall be 439
selected yearly through a process developed by the Dean of the 440
School of Medicine in consultation with the Chairs of the 441
Departments of Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, OB-GYN and 442
Pediatrics, and one (1) of whom shall be nominated for a one-year 443
term by the Mississippi Chapter of the Student National Medical 444
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Association and approved by the Dean of the University of 445
Mississippi School of Medicine; 446
(e) A member of the Board of Trustees of State 447
Institutions of Higher Learning; 448
(f) The Chair of the Department of Family Medicine at 449
the University of Mississippi School of Medicine; and 450
(g) A licensed psychiatrist appointed by the 451
Mississippi Chapter of the American Psychiatric Association. 452
(2) The premedical advisors from the accredited four-year 453
colleges and universities in the state and the directors or 454
designees of the primary care generalist training programs in the 455
State of Mississippi shall comprise an advisory committee to the 456
commission to assist the commission in its administration of the 457
Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program. 458
(3) Vacancies on the commission must be filled in a manner 459
consistent with the original appointments. 460
(4) All appointments to the commission must be made no later 461
than September 1, 2024. After the members are appointed, the 462
Chair of the Department of Family Medicine shall set a date for 463
the organizational meeting that is mutually acceptable to the 464
majority of the commission members. The organizational meeting 465
shall be for the purposes of organizing the commission and 466
establishing rules for transacting its business. A majority of 467
the members of the commission shall constitute a quorum at all 468
commission meetings. An affirmative vote of a majority of the 469
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members present and voting shall be required in the adoption of 470
rules, reports and in any other actions taken by the commission. 471
At the organizational meeting, the commission shall elect a chair 472
and vice chair from the members appointed according to paragraphs 473
(a) through (d) of subsection (1). The chair shall serve for a 474
term of two (2) years, upon the expiration of which the vice chair 475
shall assume the office of chair. 476
(5) After the organizational meeting, the commission shall 477
hold no less than two (2) meetings annually. 478
(6) The commission may form an executive committee for the 479
purpose of transacting business that must be conducted before the 480
next regularly scheduled meeting of the commission. All actions 481
taken by the executive committee must be ratified by the 482
commission at its next regularly scheduled meeting. 483
(7) Members of the commission shall serve without 484
compensation but may be reimbursed, subject to the availability of 485
funding, for mileage and actual and necessary expenses incurred in 486
attending meetings of the commission. 487
(8) Funding for the establishment and continued operation of 488
the program and commission shall be appropriated out of any money 489
in the General Fund not already appropriated to the University of 490
Mississippi Medical Center. 491
SECTION 7. Section 37-144-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 492
brought forward as follows: 493
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37-144-5. The Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship 494
Commission shall have the following powers and duties: 495
(a) Developing the administrative policy for the commission 496
and the Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program; 497
(b) Promulgating rules and regulations, with the advice and 498
consent of the University of Mississippi Medical Center, 499
pertaining to the implementation and operation of the Rural 500
Physicians Scholarship Program; 501
(c) Developing and implementing strategies and activities 502
for the identification and recruitment of students and for 503
marketing the program and for the implementation of the program. 504
In developing these strategies, the board shall seek the input of 505
various organizations and entities, including the Mississippi 506
State Medical Association, the Mississippi Academy of Family 507
Physicians, the Mississippi Chapters of the American College of 508
Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American 509
College of OB-GYN, Mississippi Psychiatric Association, the 510
Mississippi Medical and Surgical Association, the Mississippi 511
Osteopathic Medicine Association and the American Psychiatric 512
Association; 513
(d) Establishing a budget, with the advice and consent of 514
the University of Mississippi Medical Center, to support the 515
activities of the program and periodically reviewing and if 516
appropriate, revising, the scholarship and other stipends offered 517
through the program; 518
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(e) Advising the University of Mississippi Medical Center 519
regarding hiring an executive director and support staff necessary 520
for the commission's work. The commission shall nominate at least 521
two (2) individuals to serve as executive director; 522
(f) Reviewing participants progress in the program and 523
mentoring students and physicians participating in the program; 524
(g) Developing and participating in programs that provide 525
initial practice support in collaboration with other interested 526
professional organizations; 527
(h) The commission shall have the authority through use of 528
generally applicable definitions, to designate an area of the 529
state as underserved or rural. The method by which these 530
designations shall be made shall be contained in rules and 531
regulations promulgated by the commission. 532
(i) The commission shall produce an annual report to the 533
Legislature showing certain information relating to the program 534
for the previous fiscal year, including the following: 535
(i) Budget, including funds provided in addition to 536
legislative appropriations; 537
(ii) Number of participants enrolled in medical or 538
osteopathic school along with their matriculation status; 539
(iii) The status of, to include location of practice, 540
participants who have entered a medicine or other generalist 541
residency program; 542
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(iv) The number and cause of participants who breached 543
their obligation(s) to the program; and 544
(v) The status of, to include location of practice, 545
participants who have entered into the practice of medicine in a 546
rural or medically underserved area in Mississippi. 547
SECTION 8. Section 37-144-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 548
brought forward as follows: 549
37-144-7. (1) The commission shall develop and implement 550
policies and procedures designed to recruit, identify and enroll 551
undergraduate students who demonstrate necessary interest, 552
commitment, aptitude and academic achievement to pursue careers as 553
family physicians, psychiatrist, child psychiatrists or other 554
generalist physicians in rural or medically underserved areas of 555
Mississippi, and to develop and implement the programs designed to 556
foster successful entry of participants into medical school, 557
completion of medical school, enrollment into and completion of 558
family medicine or other generalist residency, and establishment 559
and maintenance of a career in family medicine, psychiatrist, 560
child psychiatry or other generalist specialty in a rural or 561
underserved area of Mississippi. 562
(2) The commission shall have the authority through use of 563
generally applicable definitions to designate an area of the state 564
as underserved or rural. 565
(3) The commission, in conjunction with the University of 566
Mississippi Medical Center, shall have the authority to provide 567
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students selected for scholarship funding with faculty mentors and 568
other programs designed to enhance the students' likelihood of 569
admission to the medical school. The commission and the 570
University of Mississippi Medical Center will develop coursework 571
that will provide scholarship students with the skills necessary 572
for sustained and successful medical practice in rural 573
Mississippi. 574
(4) Each applicant for admission to the program must submit 575
an application to the commission that conforms to requirements 576
established by the commission. 577
(5) In selecting participants for the program, the board may 578
only accept an applicant if his or her academic record and other 579
characteristics, if given consideration by the University of 580
Mississippi School of Medicine Admissions Committee, would be 581
considered credible and competitive. 582
(6) An applicant for the program may be admitted only upon a 583
majority vote of the members of the commission. 584
(7) Not less than fifteen (15) students will be admitted to 585
the Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program each year, 586
provided that there are fifteen (15) or more qualified applicants 587
for the program. 588
(8) Upon the funding of sixty-one (61) or more rural 589
physicians scholarships by the Legislature and recognizing the 590
importance of balancing the needs of comprehensive primary care 591
along with a critical shortage of psychiatrists in Mississippi, 592
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the commission may grant an exception for fourth-year medical or 593
osteopathic school (M4) students who demonstrate a desire to 594
practice psychiatry in rural Mississippi and who use a practice 595
model and enter the practice of medicine in a rural or underserved 596
area in Mississippi, as defined by the commission, beginning for 597
the M4 Class of 2020. 598
SECTION 9. Section 37-144-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 599
brought forward as follows: 600
37-144-9. (1) Participants must adhere to the policies and 601
practices as stipulated by the commission to continue in the 602
program. 603
(2) Students in the program may receive tuition or other 604
financial support that may be provided by the commission. If a 605
student in the program is admitted to and completes medical or 606
osteopathic school, any tuition or other educational and living 607
support provided to the student by the commission will be 608
forgiven. However, if the student is not successful in being 609
accepted into medical or osteopathic school within three (3) years 610
of entry into the Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship 611
Program, or if the student otherwise breaches his or her agreement 612
with the commission, all financial assistance provided to the 613
student must be repaid according to policies adopted by the board. 614
SECTION 10. Section 37-144-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 615
brought forward as follows: 616
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37-144-11. (1) Students in the program may apply to any 617
medical or osteopathic school that is accredited by the Liaison 618
Committee on Medical Education (LCME) or the American Osteopathic 619
Association (AOA). 620
(2) Students in the program seeking admission to the 621
University of Mississippi School of Medicine shall be eligible for 622
a special admissions process pursuant to criteria established by 623
the School of Medicine Admissions Committee which will include 624
special consideration of the attributes of participation in the 625
program. 626
(3) In carrying out the admissions process developed for the 627
Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program participants 628
under this section, the goal is for the program to work with the 629
School of Medicine to enhance the capability of participants to 630
successfully enter and complete medical school, train in family 631
medicine or other generalist primary care specialty and enter 632
practice in rural or underserved areas in Mississippi. To the 633
extent feasible, the early admissions process should be completed 634
before November 1 of the year preceding a student's admission to 635
medical school. 636
SECTION 11. Section 37-144-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 637
brought forward as follows: 638
37-144-13. (1) Subject to the availability of funding, 639
students in the program who successfully matriculate to medical or 640
osteopathic school are eligible for ongoing financial support in 641
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accordance with policies and requirements of the commission and in 642
accordance with the applicable laws and regulations. The number 643
of students to be supported at the University of Mississippi 644
School of Medicine and at other schools will be established by 645
policy prescribed by the commission. 646
(2) Subject to the availability of funding, students 647
enrolled at a medical or osteopathic school in Mississippi may 648
receive tuition support, funding to assist with the cost of books 649
and a living stipend, as prescribed by policy of the commission 650
and in accordance with applicable regulations. Preferences for 651
ongoing funding must be given to those students admitted to the 652
University of Mississippi School of Medicine. 653
(3) For each year that a student in medical or osteopathic 654
school receives financial assistance, the student is obligated for 655
one (1) year of practice as a primary care physician in a rural or 656
underserved area in Mississippi. Breach of the agreement at any 657
stage of training shall invoke the repayment of all financial 658
assistance provided to the student through the Mississippi Rural 659
Physicians Scholarship Program, including assistance provided 660
during undergraduate school, as well as in medical or osteopathic 661
school, along with other penalties that may be prescribed in 662
policy by the commission. 663
SECTION 12. Section 37-144-15, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 664
brought forward as follows: 665
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37-144-15. Medical and osteopathic students in the program 666
must enter family medicine or other generalist residency programs 667
according to their choice of specialty. Depending upon the 668
availability of funds, students who successfully enter residency 669
programs which have been approved by the commission may receive 670
further financial support from the Mississippi Rural Physicians 671
Scholarship Program subject to applicable rules and policies of 672
the commission. All funding for financial support from the 673
commission to participants during their residency must be 674
disbursed in accordance with applicable regulations. 675
SECTION 13. Section 37-144-17, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 676
brought forward as follows: 677
37-144-17. (1) Upon completion of residency, a participant 678
in the Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program must 679
proceed to enter the practice of medicine in a rural or 680
underserved area in Mississippi, as defined by the commission and 681
consistent with generally acceptable designations. If an area 682
experiences significant changes in its medical or general 683
community which are not reflected by health professional shortage 684
area (HPSA) or medically underserved area (MUA) rural designation, 685
the commission may receive testimony and, in its discretion, may 686
qualify the area as an underserved or rural area to allow the 687
program participant to fulfill his or her practice obligation. 688
(2) Upon entering the practice of medicine, a participant in 689
the program must serve in a health professional shortage area 690
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(HPSA), medically underserved area (MUA), or rural area otherwise 691
approved for practice under subsection (1) of this section for a 692
number of years which corresponds to the number of years, not to 693
exceed five (5), for which the participant received funding 694
through the program. A participant who completes residency who 695
fails to enter the practice of medicine as required under this 696
section shall be deemed in breach of contract and shall be liable 697
for the immediate repayment of all financial assistance provided 698
to the participant through the Mississippi Rural Physicians 699
Scholarship Program, including assistance provided during 700
undergraduate school, as well as in medical or osteopathic school, 701
along with other penalties that may be prescribed in policy by the 702
board. Any participant who fails to complete the period of 703
practice for which he or she is obligated to provide services in a 704
health professional shortage area (HPSA) or a medically 705
underserved area (MUA) in exchange for financial assistance 706
received through the Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship 707
Program shall be liable for the repayment of all financial 708
assistance provided to the participant through the program, along 709
with other penalties that may be prescribed by the commission, an 710
amount which shall be reduced on a pro rata basis for actual years 711
of practice by the physician in the area designated by the 712
commission. 713
SECTION 14. Section 37-144-19, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 714
brought forward as follows: 715
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37-144-19. The Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship 716
Program, acting through the commission, shall make every effort to 717
establish an initial practice entry support system for 718
participants in the program. 719
SECTION 15. Section 37-144-21, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 720
brought forward as follows: 721
37-144-21. This chapter may not be construed as granting the 722
Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program or its governing 723
commission any governing or administrative authority over any 724
program administered by any college, university, medical school or 725
residency program in this state or any other program established 726
by state law. 727
SECTION 16. The following shall be codified as Section 728
37-144-23, Mississippi Code of 1972: 729
37-144-23. Sections 37-144-1 through 37-144-21 shall stand 730
repealed at such time as the Mississippi Rural Physicians 731
Scholarship Commission certifies that the last class of 732
scholarship recipients has completed the obligations of the 733
Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program. 734
SECTION 17. Section 37-146-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 735
brought forward as follows: 736
37-146-1. There is established the Mississippi Rural 737
Dentists Scholarship Program for the purpose of identifying and 738
recruiting qualified university and college students for dental 739
school matriculation. Such program shall be known and may be 740
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cited as the Dr. G. Norris Howell Rural Dentists Scholarship 741
Program. The program shall consist of three (3) distinct phases 742
through which participants will progress, including: 743
(a) Undergraduate pre-dental education; 744
(b) Dental school and residency; and 745
(c) Initial entry into dental practice in a rural or 746
underserved area of the State of Mississippi. 747
SECTION 18. Section 37-146-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 748
brought forward as follows: 749
37-146-3. Mississippi Rural Dentists Scholarship Commission; 750
compensation; program funding. (1) The Mississippi Rural 751
Dentists Scholarship Program shall be administered by a commission 752
to be known as the "Mississippi Rural Dentists Scholarship 753
Commission." The commission shall be directed by a board composed 754
of the following members: 755
(a) Two (2) dentists appointed by and from the 756
membership of the Mississippi Dental Association, the term of 757
which shall be three (3) years and who may be reappointed for one 758
(1) additional term; 759
(b) One (1) dentist appointed by and from the 760
membership of each of the following organizations, the term of 761
which shall be three (3) years and who may be reappointed for one 762
(1) additional term: 763
(i) Mississippi Dental Society; 764
(ii) Mississippi Academy of General Dentistry; and 765
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(iii) Mississippi Chapter, American Academy of 766
Pediatric Dentistry; 767
(c) Two (2) designees of the Dean of the University of 768
Mississippi School of Dentistry whose terms are at the discretion 769
of the dean, at least one (1) of whom is a member of the 770
University of Mississippi School of Dentistry Admissions 771
Committee; and 772
(d) Two (2) dental students, one (1) of whom shall be 773
selected yearly through a process developed by the Dean of the 774
School of Dentistry in consultation with the chairs of the various 775
departments. 776
(2) The pre-professional advisors from the accredited 777
four-year colleges and universities in the State of Mississippi 778
shall comprise an advisory committee to the commission in the 779
administration of the Mississippi Rural Dentists Scholarship 780
Program. 781
(3) Vacancies on the commission must be filled in a manner 782
consistent with the original appointments. 783
(4) All appointments to the commission must be made no later 784
than September 1, 2013. After the members are appointed, the 785
Program Director of the Mississippi Rural Dentists Scholarship 786
Program shall set a date for the organizational meeting that is 787
mutually acceptable to the majority of the commission members. 788
The organizational meeting shall be for the purposes of organizing 789
the commission and establishing rules for transacting its 790
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business. A majority of the members of the commission shall 791
constitute a quorum at all commission meetings. An affirmative 792
vote of a majority of the members present and voting shall be 793
required in the adoption of rules, reports and in any other 794
actions taken by the commission. At the organizational meeting, 795
the commission shall elect a chair and vice chair from the members 796
appointed according to paragraphs (a) through (d) of subsection 797
(1). The chair shall serve for a term of two (2) years, upon the 798
expiration of which, the vice chair shall assume the office of 799
chair. 800
(5) After the organizational meeting, the commission shall 801
hold no less than two (2) meetings annually. 802
(6) The commission may form an executive committee for the 803
purpose of transacting business that must be conducted before the 804
next regularly scheduled meeting of the commission. All actions 805
taken by the executive committee must be ratified by the 806
commission at its next regularly scheduled meeting. 807
(7) Members of the commission shall serve without 808
compensation but may be reimbursed, subject to the availability of 809
funding, for mileage and actual and necessary expenses incurred in 810
attending meetings of the commission, as provided in Section 811
25-3-41. 812
(8) Funding for the establishment and continued operation of 813
the program and commission shall be appropriated out of any money 814
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in the State General Fund not already appropriated to the 815
University of Mississippi Medical Center. 816
SECTION 19. Section 37-146-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 817
brought forward as follows: 818
37-146-5. The Mississippi Rural Dentists Scholarship 819
Commission shall have the following powers and duties: 820
(a) Developing the administrative policy for the 821
commission and the Mississippi Rural Dentists Scholarship Program; 822
(b) Promulgating rules and regulations, with the advice 823
and consent of the University of Mississippi Medical Center, 824
pertaining to the implementation and operation of the Rural 825
Dentists Scholarship Program; 826
(c) Developing and implementing strategies and 827
activities for the identification and recruitment of students and 828
for marketing the program and for the implementation of the 829
program. In developing these strategies, the board shall seek the 830
input of various organizations and entities; 831
(d) Establishing a budget, with the advice and consent 832
of the University of Mississippi Medical Center, to support the 833
activities of the program and periodically reviewing and if 834
appropriate, revising, the scholarship and other stipends offered 835
through the program; 836
(e) Advising the University of Mississippi Medical 837
Center regarding hiring appropriate staff necessary to work in 838
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conjunction with the Executive Director of the Mississippi Rural 839
Physicians Scholarship Program; 840
(f) Reviewing participants' progress in the program and 841
mentoring students and dentists participating in the program; 842
(g) The commission shall have the authority through use 843
of generally applicable definitions, to designate an area of the 844
state as underserved or rural. The method by which these 845
designations shall be made shall be contained in rules and 846
regulations promulgated by the commission; 847
(h) The commission shall produce an annual report to 848
the Legislature showing certain information relating to the 849
program for the previous fiscal year, including the following: 850
(i) Budget, including funds provided in addition 851
to legislative appropriations; 852
(ii) The number of participants enrolled in dental 853
school along with their matriculation status; 854
(iii) The status of, to include location or 855
practice, participants who have entered a dental residency 856
program; 857
(iv) The number and cause of participants who 858
breached their obligation(s) to the program; and 859
(v) The status of, to include location of 860
practice, participants who have entered into the practice of 861
dentistry in a rural or medically underserved area in Mississippi. 862
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SECTION 20. Section 37-146-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 863
brought forward as follows: 864
37-146-7. Identification and recruitment of undergraduate 865
participants; designation of underserved or rural area; applicant 866
qualifications; maximum number of new admissions per year. (1) 867
The commission shall develop and implement policies and procedures 868
designed to recruit, identify and enroll undergraduate students 869
who demonstrate necessary interest, commitment, aptitude and 870
academic achievement to pursue careers as dentists in rural or 871
dentally underserved areas of Mississippi, and to develop and 872
implement the programs designed to foster successful entry of 873
participants into dental school, completion of dental school, and 874
establishment and maintenance of a career in dentistry in a rural 875
or underserved area of Mississippi. 876
(2) The commission shall have the authority through use of 877
generally applicable definitions, to designate an area of the 878
state as underserved or rural. 879
(3) The commission, in conjunction with the University of 880
Mississippi Medical Center, shall have the authority to provide 881
students selected for scholarship funding with faculty mentors and 882
other programs designed to enhance the students' likelihood of 883
admission to the dental school. The commission and the University 884
of Mississippi Medical Center will develop coursework that will 885
help provide scholarship students with the skills necessary for 886
sustained and successful dental practice in rural Mississippi. 887
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(4) Each applicant for admission to the program must submit 888
an application to the commission that conforms to requirements 889
established by the commission. 890
(5) In selecting participants for the program, the board may 891
only accept an applicant if his or her academic record and other 892
characteristics, if given consideration by the University of 893
Mississippi School of Dentistry Admissions Committee, would be 894
considered credible and competitive. 895
(6) An applicant for the program may be admitted only upon a 896
majority vote of the members of the commission. 897
(7) Up to three (3) students will be admitted to the 898
Mississippi Rural Dentists Scholarship Program each year. 899
SECTION 21. Section 37-146-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 900
brought forward as follows: 901
37-146-9. Participants to adhere to program policies and 902
practices to remain in program; forgiveness or repayment of 903
financial assistance under certain circumstances. (1) 904
Participants must adhere to the policies and practices as 905
stipulated by the commission to continue in the program. 906
(2) Students in the program may receive tuition or other 907
financial support that may be provided by the commission. If a 908
student in the program is admitted to and completes dental school, 909
any tuition or other educational and living support provided to 910
the student by the commission will be forgiven. However, if the 911
student is not successful in being accepted into dental school 912
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within three (3) years of entry into the Mississippi Rural 913
Dentists Scholarship Program, or if the student otherwise breaches 914
his or her agreement with the commission, all financial assistance 915
provided to the student must be repaid according to policies 916
adopted by the board. 917
SECTION 22. Section 37-146-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 918
brought forward as follows: 919
37-146-11. (1) Students in the program may apply to the 920
University of Mississippi School of Dentistry. 921
(2) Students in the program seeking admission to the 922
University of Mississippi School of Dentistry shall be eligible 923
for the admissions process pursuant to criteria established by the 924
School of Dentistry Admissions Committee which will include 925
consideration of the attributes of participation in the program. 926
(3) In carrying out the admissions process developed for the 927
Mississippi Rural Dentists Scholarship Program participants under 928
this section, the goal is for the program to work with the School 929
of Dentistry to enhance the capability of participants to 930
successfully enter and complete dental school and enter practice 931
in rural or underserved areas in Mississippi. To the extent 932
feasible, the early admissions process should be completed before 933
December 1 of the year preceding a student's admission to dental 934
school. 935
SECTION 23. Section 37-146-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 936
brought forward as follows: 937
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37-146-13. Ongoing financial support for program 938
participants who attend dental school; preference for ongoing 939
support to University of Mississippi School of Dentistry students; 940
students obligated for one year of practice for every year of 941
financial assistance received. (1) Subject to the availability 942
of funding, students in the program who successfully matriculate 943
to dental school are eligible for ongoing financial support in 944
accordance with policies and requirements of the commission and in 945
accordance with the applicable laws and regulations. The number 946
of students to be supported at the University of Mississippi 947
School of Dentistry and at other schools will be established by 948
policy prescribed by the commission. 949
(2) Subject to the availability of funding, students 950
enrolled at the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry may 951
receive tuition support, funding to assist with the cost of books 952
and a living stipend, as prescribed by policy of the commission 953
and in accordance with applicable regulations. Preferences for 954
ongoing funding must be given to those students admitted to the 955
University of Mississippi School of Dentistry. 956
(3) For each year that a student in dental school receives 957
financial assistance, the student is obligated for one (1) year of 958
practice as a dentist in a rural or underserved area in 959
Mississippi. Breach of the agreement at any stage of training 960
shall invoke the repayment of all financial assistance provided to 961
the student through the Mississippi Rural Dentists Scholarship 962
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Program along with other penalties that may be prescribed in 963
policy by the commission. 964
SECTION 24. Section 37-146-17, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 965
brought forward as follows: 966
37-146-17. Program participants required to enter practice 967
of dentistry in health professional shortage, rural or underserved 968
area upon completion of residency for number of years 969
corresponding to number of years assistance received up to maximum 970
of five years; breach of contract; liability for repayment. (1) 971
Upon completion of dental school and/or a dental residency program 972
approved by the commission, a participant in the Mississippi Rural 973
Dentists Scholarship Program must proceed to enter the full-time 974
practice of dentistry in a rural or underserved area in 975
Mississippi, as defined by the commission and consistent with 976
generally acceptable designations. If an area experiences 977
significant changes in its dental or general community which are 978
not reflected by dental health professional shortage area (HPSA), 979
the commission may receive testimony and, in its discretion, may 980
qualify the area as a dentally underserved or rural area to allow 981
the program participant to fulfill his or her practice obligation. 982
(2) Upon entering the practice of dentistry, a participant 983
in the program must serve in a dental health professional shortage 984
area (HPSA) or rural area otherwise approved for practice under 985
subsection (1) of this section for a number of years which 986
corresponds to the number of years, not to exceed five (5), for 987
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which the participant received funding through the program. Any 988
participant who fails to complete the period of practice for which 989
he or she is obligated to provide services in a dental health 990
professional shortage area (HPSA) or rural area in exchange for 991
financial assistance received through the Mississippi Rural 992
Dentists Scholarship Program shall be liable for the repayment of 993
all financial assistance provided to the participant through the 994
program, along with other penalties that may be prescribed by the 995
commission, an amount which shall be reduced on a pro rata basis 996
for actual years of practice by the dentist in the area designated 997
by the commission. 998
SECTION 25. Section 37-146-19, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 999
brought forward as follows: 1000
37-146-19. Initial practice entry support system for program 1001
participants. The Mississippi Rural Dentists Scholarship Program, 1002
acting through the commission, shall make an effort to establish 1003
an initial practice entry support system for participants in the 1004
program. 1005
SECTION 26. Section 37-146-21, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 1006
brought forward as follows: 1007
37-146-21. Limitation of program and commission governing 1008
and administrative authority. This chapter may not be construed 1009
as granting the Mississippi Rural Dentists Scholarship Program or 1010
its governing commission any governing or administrative authority 1011
over any program administered by any college, university, dental 1012
H. B. No. 512 *HR43/R856* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR43/R856
PAGE 42 (ELS\KP)
ST: Rural Physicians and Rural Dentists
Retention Loan Repayment Programs; create.
school or residency program in this state or any other program 1013
established by state law. 1014
SECTION 27. The following shall be codified as Section 1015
37-146-23, Mississippi Code of 1972: 1016
37-146-23. Sections 37–146–1 through 37–146–21 shall stand 1017
repealed at such time as the Mississippi Rural Dentists 1018
Scholarship Commission certifies that the last class of 1019
scholarship recipients has completed the obligations of the 1020
Mississippi Rural Dentists Scholarship Program. 1021
SECTION 28. This act shall take effect and be in force from 1022
and after July 1, 2026. 1023