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HOUSE BILL NO. 96
INTRODUCED BY R. HAMILTON
BY REQUEST OF THE EDUCATION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT INTERIM COMMITTEE
A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT PROVIDING INCENTIVES FOR DENTISTS; CREATING A DENTIST INCENTIVE STATE SPECIAL REVENUE ACCOUNT; ALLOWING A FEE TO BE ASSESSED TO CERTAIN STUDENTS FOR DEPOSIT IN THE ACCOUNT; ALLOWING THE PAYMENT OF EDUCATIONAL DEBT FOR DENTISTS PRACTICING IN SPECIFIED AREAS OR FOR SPECIFIED POPULATIONS; ESTABLISHING A MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF EDUCATIONAL DEBT PAYMENT THAT A PARTICIPATING DENTIST MAY RECEIVE; CREATING A DENTAL CLINIC EXTENSION PROGRAM; APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THE INCENTIVE AND THE PROGRAM; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE."
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
NEW SECTION. Section 1. Dentist incentive state special revenue account. There is a dentist incentive state special revenue account. The purpose of the account is to provide an incentive for dentists to practice in underserved areas or for underserved populations. Money is payable into the account as provided in [section 2]. Income and earnings on the account must be redeposited in the account. The account must be administered by the board of regents as provided in [section 3].
NEW SECTION. Section 2. Fee assessments -- deposits. The board of regents may assess a fee to students preparing to be dentists who are supported by the state pursuant to an interstate compact for a professional education program in dentistry. The fee may not exceed an amount equal to 16% of the annual individual dentistry support fee paid by the state pursuant to 20-25-804. The fee must be deposited in the state special revenue account established in [section 1].
NEW SECTION. Section 3. Use of dentist incentive state special revenue account. (1) The state special revenue account established in [section 1] must be used by the board of regents to pay:
(a) the educational debts of dentists who practice in underserved areas or for underserved populations of the state that demonstrate a need for assistance in dentist recruitment; and
(b) the expenses of administering the incentive program. The expenses of administering the program may not exceed 10% of the annual fees assessed pursuant to [section 2].
(2) The board of regents shall establish procedures for determining underserved areas or populations of the state that qualify for assistance in dentist recruitment. An eligible area or eligible population must demonstrate that a dentist shortage exists or that the area or population has been unsuccessful in recruiting dentists in other ways.
(3) A dentist from an area or serving a population determined to be eligible under subsection (2) may apply to the board of regents for payment of an educational debt directly related to a professional school, as provided in subsection (4). Dentists who have paid the fee authorized in [section 2] must be given a preference over other applicants. To receive the educational debt payments, the dentist shall sign an annual contract with the board of regents. The contract must provide that the dentist is liable for the payments if the dentist ceases to practice in the eligible area or serve the eligible population during the contract period.
(4) The maximum amount of educational debt payment that a dentist practicing in an underserved area or for an underserved population may receive is $100,000 over a 5-year period or a proportionally reduced amount for a shorter period.
(5) The amount contractually committed in a year may not exceed the amounts appropriated in [section 5(1) and (2)].
NEW SECTION. Section 4. Dental clinic extension program. (1) There is a dental clinic extension program. The program:
(a) must place third-year and fourth-year dental students and residents in private dental practices and community health center dental clinics throughout the state; and
(b) must be administered by the Montana area health education center at Montana state university-Bozeman.
(2) Funding for the dental clinic extension program must be used to pay student and resident stipends and the costs of administering the program.
NEW SECTION. Section 5. Appropriations. (1) There is appropriated for fiscal year 2011 up to $70,000 of the money in the account established in [section 1] to the board of regents for the purposes described in [section 3].
(2) There is appropriated for fiscal year 2011 $150,000 from the state general fund to the board of regents for the purposes described in [section 3].
(3) There is appropriated for each fiscal year of the biennium beginning July 1, 2009, $72,200 from the state general fund to the board of regents for the Montana area health education center at Montana state university-Bozeman for the purposes described in [section 4].
NEW SECTION. Section 6. Codification instruction. (1) [Sections 1 through 3] are intended to be codified as an integral part of Title 20, chapter 26, and the provisions of Title 20, chapter 26, apply to [sections 1 through 3].
(2) [Section 4] is intended to be codified as an integral part of Title 50, chapter 4, part 8, and the provisions of Title 50, chapter 4, part 8, apply to [section 4].
NEW SECTION. Section 7. Effective date. [This act] is effective on passage and approval.
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Latest Version of HB 96 (HB0096.01)
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