Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 6 - EDUCATION (§§ 6-1-101 — 6-87-104) › Subtitle 6 - POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION - FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS (§§ 6-80-101 — 6-85-604) › Chapter 81 - STUDENT LOANS (§§ 6-81-101 — 6-81-2008) › Subchapter 7 - RURAL MEDICAL PRACTICE STUDENT LOANS AND SCHOLARSHIPS (§§ 6-81-701 — 6-81-722) › Section 6-81-702 - Arkansas Rural Medical Practice Student Loan and Scholarship Board

(a)
(1)
There is established the Arkansas Rural Medical Practice Student Loan and Scholarship Board that shall consist of eight (8) members appointed by the Governor for three-year terms.
(2)
Vacancies shall be filled in a similar manner.
(3)
The Governor shall consider a range of practice specialties and geographical areas of practice in making appointments to the board.
(4)
The Dean of the College of Medicine of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences shall be appointed as a member and chair of the board by the Governor and subject to confirmation by the Senate.
(5)
Two (2) members shall be duly qualified, licensed, and active medical practitioners and appointed by the Governor after consulting with the Arkansas Medical Society, Inc., and subject to confirmation by the Senate.
(6)
One (1) member shall be a licensed practicing physician in this state and shall be appointed by the Governor after consulting with the Physician's Section of the Arkansas Medical, Dental, and Pharmaceutical Association, Inc., and subject to confirmation by the Senate.
(7)
Two (2) members shall be appointed by the Governor after consulting with the Dean of the College of Medicine of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and subject to confirmation by the Senate.
(8)
One (1) member shall be appointed by the Governor after consulting with the Arkansas Rural Health Partnership and subject to confirmation by the Senate.
(9)
One (1) member shall be appointed by the Governor after consulting with the Arkansas Hospital Association, Inc., and subject to confirmation by the Senate.
(b)
The board shall:
(1)
Promulgate reasonable rules necessary to execute the provisions of this subchapter, including rules addressing the requirements and in conformance with the requirements of the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act, §
25-15-201
et seq., and other appropriate state laws in promulgating and placing rules into effect:
(A)
For a health professions shortage area;
(B)
To become a qualified rural community eligible to participate in the Rural Medical Practice Student Loan and Scholarship Program or the Community Match Rural Physician Recruitment Program; and
(C)
For a procedure to resolve disputes arising out of or relating to a rural practice or community match loan or income incentive contract;
(2)
Prescribe forms for and regulate the submission of loan applications;
(3)
Determine eligibility of applicants;
(4)
Allow or disallow loan or income incentive applications;
(5)
Contract, increase, decrease, terminate, and otherwise regulate all loan and income incentive disbursements for these purposes, receipts for their repayment, and convert loans to scholarships or grants, as applicable;
(6)
Manage, operate, and control all funds and property appropriated or otherwise contributed for this purpose;
(7)
Accept gifts, grants, bequests, or devises and apply them as a part of this program;
(8)
Sue and be sued as the board; and
(9)
Accept moneys from federal programs that may be used for furtherance of the purposes of this subchapter.
(c)
The members of the board may receive expense reimbursement and stipends in accordance with §
25-16-901
et seq.
(d)
The board shall administer the Rural Medical Practice Student Loan and Scholarship Program and the Community Match Rural Physician Recruitment Program.
Amended by Act 2021, No. 1079,§ 1, eff. 7/28/2021.
Acts 1949, No. 131, §§ 1-3; 1971, No. 133, §§ 1-3; 1971, No. 533, §§ 1-3; A.S.A. 1947, §§ 80-2908 -- 80-2910; Acts 1987, No. 151, § 1; 1995, No. 1114, § 2; 1997, No. 250, § 40; 2007, No. 1058, § 1; 2009, No. 708, § 1.