An Act To Encourage Veterinary Practice in Maine
Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §12004-I, sub-§7-D is enacted to read:
| Education | Advisory Committee on Veterinary Medical Education | Not Authorized | 20-A MRSA §12314 |
Sec. 2. 20-A MRSA c. 426-A is enacted to read:
CHAPTER 426-A
MAINE SCHOOL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE LOAN PROGRAM
§ 12311. Definitions
As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
§ 12312. Maine School of Veterinary Medicine Loan Program
(1) That the student be a Maine resident;
(2) That the student be enrolled in a school of veterinary medicine; and
(3) That priority be given to a student:
(a) Who previously received a loan pursuant to this section;
(b) Who exhibits financial need; and
(c) Who demonstrates an interest in practicing an underserved specialty; and
(1) That the applicant be eligible for licensure to practice veterinary medicine in the State;
(2) That the applicant have outstanding school of veterinary medicine loans; and
(3) That the applicant be willing to practice an underserved specialty.
(1) A loan recipient who does not obtain loan forgiveness pursuant to subparagraph (2) shall repay the entire principal of the loan plus simple interest at a rate to be determined by rule of the authority.
Interest does not begin to accrue until the loan recipient completes veterinary medical education.
(2) A loan recipient who, upon conclusion of the recipient's professional education, including any fellowships, elects to serve as a veterinarian in an underserved specialty is forgiven 25% of the original outstanding indebtedness for each year of that practice.
A loan recipient may be granted permission to default without penalty from an agreement to practice an underserved specialty by petitioning the authority. Grounds for permission to default without penalty include, but are not limited to, catastrophic circumstances that prevent the recipient from remaining in an underserved specialty for the required period of time. The recipient receives credit for the number of months served, and the remaining financial obligation plus interest must be repaid to the authority in cash under the terms of the original agreement.
§ 12313. Nonlapsing fund
§ 12314. Advisory Committee on Veterinary Medical Education
(1) One member appointed by the President of the Senate who represents a school of veterinary medicine in the State;
(2) One member appointed by the President of the Senate who represents the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources;
(3) One Senator appointed by the President of the Senate;
(4) Two members appointed by the Speaker of the House who represent a major statewide organization representing veterinarians;
(5) One member appointed by the Speaker of the House who represents a major statewide organization representing farmers;
(6) One member appointed by the Speaker of the House who represents a major statewide organization dedicated to large animal rescue; and
(7) One member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House.
The chief executive officer may submit recommendations for appointees under this paragraph to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House; and
§ 12315. Rules
The authority shall establish rules necessary to implement this chapter. The Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources shall develop rules for determining underserved specialties related to large animals. The rules authorized by this section must be adopted in accordance with Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
summary
This bill establishes the Maine School of Veterinary Medicine Loan Program, similar to the Maine Dental Education Loan Program. The program would create 3 slots per year for veterinary students or persons eligible for licensure as a veterinarian to apply for a loan repayment program through the Finance Authority of Maine. The program would promote veterinarian practice for large animals. The bill creates the Advisory Committee on Veterinary Medical Education to work with the Chief Executive Officer of the Finance Authority of Maine to evaluate and improve the program.