Ch. 628

1993 LAWS OF MARYLAND

18-1602.

(a)     There is a program of loan assistance repayment in the State.

(b)      [The] SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SUBSECTION (G) OF THIS
SECTION, THE State Scholarship Administration shall assist in the repayment of the
amount of any higher education loan owed by an individual who:

(1)     Receives a graduate, professional, or undergraduate degree from:
(i) A college or university in the State of Maryland; or

(ii) A school of medicine;

(2)     Obtains eligible employment;

(3)     Receives an income that is less than the maximum eligible total income
levels established by the Administration, including any additional sources of income; and

(4)     Satisfies any other criteria established by the Administration.

(C) (1) NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS
SECTION, THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL ASSIST IN THE REPAYMENT OF THE
AMOUNT OF ANY HIGHER EDUCATION LOAN OWED BY A PHYSICIAN WHO ENGAGES
IN PRIMARY CARE IN THE STATE OR BY A MEDICAL RESIDENT SPECIALIZING IN
PRIMARY CARE WHO AGREES TO PRACTICE FOR AT LEAST 2 YEARS AS A PRIMARY CARE
PHYSICIAN IN A GEOGRAPHIC AREA OF THE STATE THAT HAS BEEN DESIGNATED BY THE
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE AS BEING MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED
WITH THE FUNDS TRANSFERRED TO THE ADMINISTRATION FROM THE PHYSICIAN
QUALITY ASSURANCE FUND UNDER § 14-207(C)(2)(I) OF THE HEALTH OCCUPATIONS
ARTICLE OF THE CODE.                                                                                           

(2)      A PHYSICIAN WHO ENGAGES IN PRIMARY CARE IS NOT PRECLUDED
FROM RECEIVING ASSISTANCE FROM THE ADMINISTRATION UNDER SUBSECTION
(B) OF THIS SECTION.

(3)      ANY UNSPENT PORTIONS OF THE MONEY THAT IS TRANSFERRED TO
THE ADMINISTRATION FOR USE UNDER THIS SECTION FROM THE PHYSICIAN
QUALITY ASSURANCE FUND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED TO OR REVERT TO THE
GENERAL FUND OF' THE STATE, BUT SHALL REMAIN IN THE FUND TO ASSIST
PHYSICIANS ENGAGED IN PRIMARY CARE AS SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS
SUBSECTION.

[(c)] (D) An applicant for assistance in the repayment of a commercial loan shall
demonstrate to the Administration that the commercial loan was used for tuition,
educational expenses, or living expenses for graduate or undergraduate study.

[(d)](E) Assistance in the repayment of a loan from an entity set forth in §
18-1601 (c) (2) of this subtitle shall require the approval of the Administration.

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