reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71C-36 - Entry into program; agreements.

18A:71C-36 Entry into program; agreements.
18A:71C-36. a. In administering the program, the authority or its designated agent shall contract only with a primary care practitioner.
b. The contract shall require a program participant to:
(1) serve at least an initial two-year period at an approved site in the full-time clinical practice of that person's primary care profession;
(2) charge for professional services at the usual and customary rate prevailing in the area in which the approved site is located, but allow a patient who is unable to pay that charge to pay at a reduced rate or receive care at no charge;
(3) not discriminate against any patient in the provision of health care services on the basis of that person's ability to pay or source of payment; and
(4) agree not to impose any charge in excess of the limiting fee for a service, as determined by the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, to a recipient of benefits under the federal Medicare program established pursuant to Pub.L.89-97 (42 U.S.C.s.1395 et seq.).
c. The contract shall also specify the applicant's dates of required service and the total amount of eligible qualifying loan expenses to be redeemed by the State in return for service, and stipulate that the applicant has knowledge of and agrees to the six-month probationary period required prior to final acceptance into the program pursuant to N.J.S.18A:71C-38.
Amended 2009, c.145, s.5.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71C-36.1 - Performance standards for program participants.

18A:71C-36.1 Performance standards for program participants.
10. a. A program participant, as a condition of participation, shall be required to adhere to performance standards established by the executive director or his designee and if the approved site is a clinic which is part of the extramural network of dental clinics established by the New Jersey Dental School of Rutgers, The State University the program participant shall also meet performance standards set by the New Jersey Dental School.
b. The standards shall include, but not be limited to, requirements that a participant:
(1) maintain residency in the State;
(2) maintain a license or certification to practice a primary care profession in the State;
(3) remain current with payments on student loans;
(4) enter into a mutually acceptable contract with an approved site;
(5) maintain satisfactory performance of services rendered at an approved site; and
(6) report to the authority or its designee, on a form and in a manner prescribed by the authority or its designee, on the program participant's performance of services rendered at an approved site prior to repayment of the annual amount eligible for redemption.
L.2009, c.145, s.10; amended 2012, c.45, s.101.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71C-37 - Redemption limits; service.

18A:71C-37 Redemption limits; service.
18A:71C-37. a. Maximum redemption of loans under the loan redemption program shall amount to 18% of principal and interest of eligible qualifying loan expenses in return for one full year of service at an approved site, an additional 26% for a second full year of service, an additional 28% for a third full year of service and an additional 28% for a fourth full year of service for a total redemption of eligible qualifying loan expenses of up to, but not to exceed, $120,000, or the maximum amount authorized by the federal government, whichever is greater, either (1) in State funds or (2) the sum of federal, State, and other non-federal funds pursuant to section 338I of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.s.254q-1), whichever is applicable. No amount of eligible qualifying loan expenses shall be redeemed for services performed for less than a full year.
b. A participant who enters an agreement to fulfill service in a State designated underserved area that is also a HPSA shall be permitted a total redemption of eligible qualifying loan expenses for four years of service up to, but not to exceed, the sum of federal, State and other non-federal matching funds provided pursuant to section 338I of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.s.254q-1).
c. A program participant who enters an agreement to fulfill service in a State designated underserved area that is not also a HPSA shall be permitted a total redemption of eligible qualifying loan expenses for four years of service up to, but not to exceed, $120,000, or the maximum amount authorized by the federal government, whichever is greater, in State funds.
d. A program participant who has engaged in full-time clinical practice during the participant's initial two years of participation in the program shall be permitted to fulfill the program participant's subsequent service obligations on a part-time basis with the approval of the authority or its designee and the program participant's employer in a State designated underserved area, with the program participant's redemption credit accruing on a pro rata basis. The program participant may be permitted a total redemption of eligible qualifying loan expenses for the equivalent of four years of full-time service.
Amended 2009, c.145, s.6.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71C-37.1 - Reimbursement payments for tax liability of participant.

18A:71C-37.1 Reimbursement payments for tax liability of participant.
16. The executive director or his designee may, within the limits of available funds and in accordance with eligibility criteria determined by the executive director or his designee, make payments in a reasonable amount, as determined by the executive director or his designee, to reimburse a program participant for all or part of any increased tax liability incurred by the participant, pursuant to the "New Jersey Gross Income Tax Act," N.J.S.54A:1-1 et seq., which results from the redemption of eligible qualifying loan expenses under the program.
L.2009, c.145, s.16.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71C-38 - Probationary period.

18A:71C-38 Probationary period.
18A:71C-38. Each program participant shall serve a six-month probationary period upon initial placement at an approved site. During that period, the primary care staff of the approved site, or in the case of a clinic which is part of the extramural network of dental clinics established by the New Jersey Dental School of Rutgers, The State University, the director of the clinics and the vice-dean of the dental school, together with the program participant and the executive director or his designee, shall evaluate the suitability of the placement for the program participant. At the end of the probationary period, the primary care staff shall recommend the continuation of the program participant's present placement, a change in placement, or its determination that the program participant is an unsuitable candidate for the program. If the primary care staff of the approved site recommends a change in placement, the executive director or a designee shall approve an alternate placement at an approved site. If the primary care staff determines that the program participant is not a suitable candidate for the program, the executive director or his designee shall take this recommendation into consideration in regard to the program participant's final acceptance into the program. No loan redemption payment shall be made during the six-month probationary period; however, a program participant shall receive credit for the six-month period in calculating the first year of required service under the loan redemption contract.
amended 2009, c.145, s.7; 2012, c.45, s.102.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71C-39 - Matching of participants with areas.

18A:71C-39 Matching of participants with areas.
18A:71C-39. The executive director or his designee, in consultation with the Commissioner of Health and Senior Services, shall match program participants to State designated underserved areas or HPSAs.
Amended 2009, c.145, s.8.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71C-40 - Selection of participants; priority.

18A:71C-40 Selection of participants; priority.
18A:71C-40. The executive director or his designee shall select the program participants from among those applicants who meet the eligibility criteria established pursuant to N.J.S.18A:71C-34, subject to available funds and available approved sites. In the event that there are insufficient funds or approved sites to select all of the applicants who meet the eligibility criteria, the executive director or his designee shall accord priority to applicants in the following manner:
a. first, to any applicant who is completing a fourth, third or second year of a loan redemption contract;
b. second, to any applicant according to the severity of the physician, dentist, or other primary care provider shortage in the area selected by the applicant; and
c. third, to any applicant whose residence in the State at the time of entry into postsecondary education was within a State designated underserved area.
In the event that there are more applicants who have the same priority than there are program positions, the executive director or his designee shall select program participants by means of a lottery or other form of random selection.
Amended 2009, c.145, s.9.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71C-41 - Nullification of agreement.

18A:71C-41 Nullification of agreement.
18A:71C-41. A program participant who has previously entered into a contract with the authority may nullify the agreement by notifying the authority in writing and reassuming full responsibility for the remaining outstanding balance of the loan debt. In no event shall service at an approved site for less than the full calendar year of each period of service entitle the program participant to any benefits under the program. A program participant seeking to nullify the contract before completing a second full year of service shall be required to pay 50% of the redeemed portion of indebtedness in not more than one year following nullification of the agreement.
Amended 2009, c.145, s.11.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71C-42 - Death or permanent disability of participant.

18A:71C-42 Death or permanent disability of participant.
18A:71C-42. In case of a program participant's death or total and permanent disability, the authority or its designee shall nullify the service obligation of the program participant. The nullification shall terminate the authority's obligations under the loan redemption contract, except in the event that a program participant's death or total and permanent disability occurs during the second year of service, the authority shall not require repayment of the prior redeemed portion of indebtedness. When continued enforcement of the contract may result in extreme hardship, the authority or its designee may nullify or suspend the service obligation of the program participant.
Amended 2009, c.145, s.12.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71C-43 - Conviction of crime; gross negligence; breach of performance standards; failure to repay; penalties.

18A:71C-43 Conviction of crime; gross negligence; breach of performance standards; failure to repay; penalties.
18A:71C-43. a. In the case of:
(1) a program participant's conviction of a crime or an act of gross negligence in the performance of service obligations;
(2) suspension or revocation of the program participant's license or certification to practice; or
(3) a program participant's breach of the performance standards established pursuant to section 10 of P.L.2009, c.145 (C.18A:71C-36.1);
the executive director or his designee is authorized to terminate the program participant's service in the program.
b. A program participant who fails to repay an amount due the authority under the program may be subject to actions initiated by the authority or its designee, which may include, but are not limited to, recovery of the amount due by an action brought in a court of competent jurisdiction or through the offset of State tax refunds or rebates, making this information available to credit reporting agencies, and exclusion from eligibility for any student assistance benefits administered by the authority, as well as action by the federal government, to the extent that loan redemption benefits are federally funded, to recover any amount due it as permitted by federal law. In any action brought by the authority or its designee in a court of competent jurisdiction pursuant to this subsection, the program participant shall be liable for: the debt incurred, interest on the debt at the maximum legal prevailing rate as determined by the United States Treasurer, and the administrative and court costs associated with collection of the debt.
Amended 2009, c.145, s.14.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71C-43.1 - False, misleading information, fourth degree crime.

18A:71C-43.1 False, misleading information, fourth degree crime.
13. A person who knowingly or willfully furnishes any false or misleading information for the purpose of receiving loan redemption benefits under the program is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.
L.2009, c.145, s.13.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71C-44 - National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program participants ineligible.

18A:71C-44 National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program participants ineligible.
18A:71C-44. A student who is participating in the federally administered National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program, section 338B of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.s.254 l-1), shall not be eligible to participate simultaneously in the Primary Care Practitioner Loan Redemption Program.
Amended 2009, c.145, s.15.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71C-46 - Recruitment.

18A:71C-46 Recruitment.
18A:71C-46. Recruitment.
The executive director or designee and the Commissioner of Health and Senior Services, in cooperation with their designated agent, shall together establish a procedure for the recruitment of program applicants at medical and dental schools and health centers. The procedure shall provide for the participation of the medical and dental staff, as appropriate, of those facilities in the selection of appropriate applicants for the program.
L.1999,c.46,s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71C-46.1 - Availability of information.

18A:71C-46.1 Availability of information.
18. The authority shall work with State institutions of medical, dental, and other primary care professional education to ensure that information on the Primary Care Practitioner Loan Redemption Program is made available to students upon enrollment.
L.2009, c.145, s.18.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71C-48 - Rules and regulations.

18A:71C-48 Rules and regulations.
18A:71C-48. Rules and Regulations.
The authority shall adopt rules and regulations pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.) necessary to implement the provisions of N.J.S.18A:71C-32 through N.J.S.18A:71C-47.
L.1999,c.46,s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71C-49 - OB/GYN student loan expense reimbursement program.

18A:71C-49 OB/GYN student loan expense reimbursement program.
29. a. There is established a student loan expense reimbursement program within the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority for obstetrician/gynecologists who agree to practice in State designated underserved areas as established pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1999, c.46 (C.18A:71C-35). Any loans provided through the NJCLASS Loan Program pursuant to P.L.1999, c.46 (C.18A:71C-21 et seq.) or a student loan program of the federal government shall be eligible for reimbursement under this program.
The authority shall implement the program in consultation with the Commissioners of Banking and Insurance and Health and Senior Services and the State Board of Medical Examiners.
b. (1) An obstetrician/gynecologist who receives a payment under the student loan expense reimbursement program shall be required to practice as an obstetrician/gynecologist in an underserved area in this State for a period of at least four years after receipt of the payment.
(2) An obstetrician/gynecologist who fails to comply with the provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be required to repay to the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority the amount of the payment, in whole or in part as determined by the authority.
c. The authority shall adopt rules and regulations, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), to effectuate the purposes of this section, including, but not limited to: eligibility for the program, procedures for application, selection of participants, establishment and nullification of contracts established with participants under the program, and reports to the program by participants.
L.2004,c.17,s.29.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71C-51 - Findings, declarations relative to the Nursing Faculty Loan Redemption Program.

18A:71C-51 Findings, declarations relative to the Nursing Faculty Loan Redemption Program.
2. The Legislature finds and declares that:
a. This State is experiencing a critical shortage in its nursing workforce, which is expected to worsen in the next two decades. In New Jersey, as well as nationwide, the shortage of faculty in schools of nursing is reaching crisis proportions. Insufficient numbers of faculty hinder schools' efforts to increase their capacity.
b. According to projections by the Health Resources and Services Administration of the federal Department of Health and Human Services, New Jersey is estimated to be 49% below demand, resulting in a shortfall of 42,400 registered professional nurse full-time equivalent positions throughout the State by 2020.
c. The demand for nurses at all levels of training and in all health care settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, veterans' homes and home health care and community-based programs, is increasing as the population gets older. Recent data from schools of nursing in New Jersey show that there is an increased interest in nursing by potential students; 67% of schools of nursing in the State turned away qualified student applicants and 57% report numbers of enrollments greater than their current capacity to educate students.
d. The average age of New Jersey's registered professional nurses and licensed practical nurses is increasing each year; in 2007 54.4% of the State's registered professional nurses were between 46 and 60 years of age and 13.3% were more than 60 years of age; 29% of non-retired registered professional nurses were older than 55 years of age. These findings indicate that, assuming the majority of nurses retire at 65 years of age, the State will need to replace one third of its nursing workforce over the next 10 years.
e. The number of full-time faculty positions currently budgeted in New Jersey's schools of nursing totals 575 full-time equivalents. Of these, six percent, or 35 full-time equivalents, were vacant in October 2004; 54% of the nursing schools in the State reported faculty vacancies.
f. The faculty shortage is part of the larger picture and all areas must be addressed as nurses are vital to the public's health. Research indicates that without sufficient numbers of well-qualified nurses, patients' lives and well-being are at increased risk. The minimum educational requirement of a nursing instructor according to the New Jersey Board of Nursing regulations is a master's degree in nursing (MSN). For nursing faculty in the State's 13 associate degree programs in community colleges and 11 diploma programs in hospitals, a MSN is required. Many schools also require that faculty be certified in the specialty practice area in which they teach.
L.2009, c.236, s.2.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71C-52 - Definitions relative to the Nursing Faculty Loan Redemption Program.

18A:71C-52 Definitions relative to the Nursing Faculty Loan Redemption Program.
3. As used in this act:
"Approved graduate degree program" means a master's degree in nursing (MSN), a doctor of nursing science degree (DNS), a doctor of nursing practice degree (DPN), a doctor of philosophy degree (PhD) in nursing or another relevant field of study.
"Authority" means the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority established pursuant to N.J.S.18A:71A-3.
"Eligible student loan expenses" means the cumulative total of the annual student loans covering the cost of attendance at an approved graduate degree program. Interest paid or due on student loans that an applicant has taken out for use in paying the costs of such education shall be considered eligible for reimbursement under the program.
"Participant" means a person who has completed an approved graduate degree program at an accredited public or independent institution of higher education, and who participates in the program.
"Program" means the Nursing Faculty Loan Redemption Program established pursuant to this act.
L.2009, c.236, s.3.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71C-53 - Nursing Faculty Loan Redemption Program established.

18A:71C-53 Nursing Faculty Loan Redemption Program established.
4. a. There is established within the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority the Nursing Faculty Loan Redemption Program. The purpose of the program is to address the current and projected critical shortage of nursing faculty in the State by providing an incentive for persons to enter graduate nursing education programs and for persons already trained as nurses to advance their training in the profession so as to ensure that sufficient numbers of nursing faculty are available to train nursing students, and the State's hospitals, nursing homes, veterans' facilities and home care services and community care programs will have sufficient, trained nursing staff in the future to provide quality health care services to the residents of this State.
The program shall provide loan redemption in exchange for full-time faculty employment at a school of nursing in the State for a five-year period following completion of the approved graduate degree program. The authority may establish a limit on the total amount of student loans which may be redeemed for participants under the program.
b. In developing the program, the authority shall collaborate with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation New Jersey Nursing Initiative and such other entities as the authority deems appropriate.
L.2009, c.236, s.4.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71C-54 - Eligibility for participation in program.

18A:71C-54 Eligibility for participation in program.
5. To be eligible to participate in the program, an applicant shall:
a. be a resident of the State and maintain domicile in the State during participation in the program; and
b. (1) have obtained a master's degree in nursing (MSN), a doctor of nursing science degree (DNS), a doctor of nursing practice degree (DNP), a doctor of philosophy degree (PhD) in nursing or another relevant field of study within a one-year period prior to being hired for full-time faculty employment on or after the date of enactment of this act; and
(2) have maintained a grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a scale of 4.0, or its equivalent, while enrolled in an approved graduate degree program.
L.2009, c.236, s.5.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71C-55 - Application to authority for loan redemption.

18A:71C-55 Application to authority for loan redemption.
6. a. A graduate nursing student or graduate may apply to the authority for a loan redemption in such manner as prescribed by the authority.
b. A program participant shall enter into a written contract with the authority to participate in the program. The contract shall specify the duration of the applicant's required service and the total amount of eligible student loan expenses to be redeemed by the authority in return for service.
c. A participant who has entered into a redemption contract with the authority may nullify that contract by submitting written notification to the authority and assuming full responsibility for repayment of the full amount of the loan or that portion of the loan that has not been redeemed by the State in return for partial fulfillment of the contract.
d. In the case of a participant's death or total or permanent disability, the authority shall nullify the service obligation of the participant; or where continued enforcement of the contract may result in extreme hardship, the authority may nullify or suspend the participant's service obligation.
L.2009, c.236, s.6.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71C-56 - Annual report on the program.

18A:71C-56 Annual report on the program.
7. The authority shall annually submit to the Governor, and pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), the chairman of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, the chairman of the Assembly Appropriations Committee, the chairmen of the Senate and Assembly Education Committees, and the chairmen of the Senate and Assembly Health Committees, a report on the program. The report shall be submitted no later than August 1 of each year and shall include, but not be limited to, the following information for the prior fiscal year:
a. the total number of participants receiving loan redemption under the program;
b. the total number of participants who withdrew from the program or failed to complete the program's employment requirement; and
c. the effect of the program on filling vacant nursing faculty positions in the State and eliminating the need to turn away qualified nursing school applicants.
L.2009, c.236, s.7.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71C-57 - Rules, regulations.

18A:71C-57 Rules, regulations.
8. The Higher Education Student Assistance Authority shall adopt, in accordance with the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), rules and regulations as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this act.
L.2009, c.236, s.8.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71C-58 - Dedication of appropriated funds.

18A:71C-58 Dedication of appropriated funds.
9. Of the funds annually appropriated for the Primary Care Practitioner Loan Redemption Program established in the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority pursuant to N.J.S.18A:71C-32 et seq., 25% shall be dedicated to the Nursing Faculty Loan Redemption Program established pursuant to this act. The program shall be administered directly by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority.
L.2009, c.236, s.9.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71C-59 - Definitions relative to tuition reimbursement for certain psychiatrists.

18A:71C-59 Definitions relative to tuition reimbursement for certain psychiatrists.
1. As used in this act:
"Authority" means the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority.
"Eligible tuition expenses" means tuition expenses that were incurred by a program participant in attending an accredited medical school and which were not covered by any grants or scholarships.
"Program" means the tuition reimbursement program for psychiatrists established pursuant to this act.
"Program participant" means a psychiatrist who contracts with the authority to provide mental health care services in a State underserved area or in a State psychiatric hospital in return for tuition reimbursement provided under the program.
"State psychiatric hospital" means a State psychiatric hospital operated by the Department of Human Services and listed in R.S.30:1-7.
"State underserved area" means a geographic area in this State which the Commissioner of Health, in consultation with the Commissioner of Human Services, determines on the basis of health status and economic indicators as having a physician shortage in the specialty of psychiatry.
L.2017, c.126, s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71C-60 - Tuition reimbursement for certain psychiatrists.

18A:71C-60 Tuition reimbursement for certain psychiatrists.
2. a. There is established in the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority a tuition reimbursement program for psychiatrists who provide mental health care services in a State underserved area or in a State psychiatric hospital. The program shall provide reimbursement to program participants for a portion of the eligible tuition expenses incurred by the participant in attending medical school.
b. A program participant shall enter into a contract with the authority for a specified number of one-year periods of service, up to four years, in which the participant agrees to engage in the full-time practice of psychiatry in a State underserved area or in a State psychiatric hospital. The agreement shall specify the program participant's dates of required service and the total amount of reimbursement of eligible tuition expenses to be received by the participant in return for service.
c. The tuition reimbursement for a participant under the program shall equal 25 percent of the participant's eligible tuition expenses for the one academic year of medical school attendance in which tuition was the lowest, in return for each full year of service satisfactorily completed by the participant under the program. The total tuition reimbursement amount for a program participant, for four full years of service, shall not exceed 100 percent of the participant's eligible tuition expenses for the one academic year of medical school attendance in which tuition was the lowest.
L.2017, c.126, s.2.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71C-61 - Eligibility for program.

18A:71C-61 Eligibility for program.
3. To be eligible to participate in the program, an applicant shall:
a. be a resident of New Jersey;
b. be a State-licensed physician who has successfully completed all educational and residency training requirements for the practice of psychiatry;
c. apply for the program within one year of completing an accredited residency training program in psychiatry, or within one year of completing an accredited fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry; and
d. agree to practice full-time as a psychiatrist in a State underserved area or in a State psychiatric hospital for a period of one to four years in return for the tuition reimbursement provided under the program.
L.2017, c.126, s.3.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71C-62 - Designation of underserved areas, list of available positions in State psychiatric hospitals.

18A:71C-62 Designation of underserved areas, list of available positions in State psychiatric hospitals.
4. a. The Commissioner of Health, in consultation with the Commissioner of Human Services, shall designate State underserved areas which have a shortage of psychiatrists. In designating State underserved areas, the commissioner shall consider health status criteria and economic indicators including, but not limited to, the financial resources of the population who resides in the area under consideration, and the population's access to mental health care services.
b. The Commissioner of Health shall transmit to the authority a list of the State underserved areas and the projected number of psychiatrists needed in each area.
c. The Commissioner of Human Services shall transmit to the authority a list of the State psychiatric hospitals and the projected number of psychiatrists needed in each hospital.
L.2017, c.126, s.4.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71C-63 - Contract for program participant.

18A:71C-63 Contract for program participant.
5. The contract entered into between a program participant and the authority pursuant to section 2 of this act shall require a program participant to:
a. charge for professional services at the usual and customary rate prevailing in the State underserved area, but allow a patient who is unable to pay that charge to pay at a reduced rate or receive care at no charge;
b. not discriminate against any patient in the provision of mental health care services on the basis of that person's ability to pay or source of payment; and
c. agree not to impose any charge in excess of the limiting fee for a service, as determined by the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, to a recipient of benefits under the federal Medicare program established pursuant to Pub.L.89-97 (42 U.S.C. s.1395 et seq.).
L.2017, c.126, s.5.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71C-64 - Performance standards.

18A:71C-64 Performance standards.
6. A program participant, as a condition of participation, shall be required to adhere to performance standards established by the authority. The standards shall include, but not be limited to, requirements that a program participant:
a. maintain residency in the State;
b. maintain a license to practice medicine in the State;
c. remain current with payments on any student loans;
d. maintain satisfactory performance of services rendered in a State underserved area or in a State psychiatric hospital; and
e. report to the authority, on a form and in a manner prescribed by the authority, on the program participant's performance of services rendered prior to reimbursement of tuition under the program.
L.2017, c.126, s.6.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71C-65 - Ineligibility.

18A:71C-65 Ineligibility.
7. An individual who is participating in the Primary Care Practitioner Loan Redemption Program, N.J.S.18A:71C-32 et seq., or in the federally administered National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program, section 338B of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. s.254l-1), shall not be eligible to participate simultaneously in the tuition reimbursement program established pursuant to this act.
L.2017, c.126, s.7.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71C-66 - Definitions relative to the STEM Loan Redemption Program.

18A:71C-66 Definitions relative to the STEM Loan Redemption Program.
1. As used in this act:
"Approved STEM degree program" means an undergraduate or advanced degree program, approved by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, for persons engaged in a designated high-growth STEM occupation pursuant to section 2 of this act.
"Authority" means the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority.
"Eligible qualifying loan expenses" means the cumulative outstanding balance of qualifying student loans, including interest paid or due, covering the cost of attendance at an institution of higher education for an undergraduate or advanced degree from an approved STEM degree program.
"Executive director" means the executive director of the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority.
"Program" means the STEM Loan Redemption Program established pursuant to section 2 of this act.
"Program participant" means a person who contracts with the authority to engage in a designated high-growth STEM occupation in exchange for the redemption of eligible qualifying loan expenses provided under the program.
"Qualifying student loan" means a State or federal loan for the actual costs paid for tuition and reasonable education and living expenses relating to obtaining a degree in an approved STEM degree program.
"Total and permanent disability" means a physical or mental disability that is expected to continue indefinitely or result in death and renders a program participant unable to perform that person's employment obligation, as determined by the executive director or his designee.
L.2018, c.142, s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71C-67 - STEM Loan Redemption Program.

18A:71C-67 STEM Loan Redemption Program.
2. a. There is established a STEM Loan Redemption Program within the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority. The program shall provide $1,000 to program participants for each year of employment in a designated high-growth STEM occupation, up to a maximum of four years, for the redemption of a portion of their eligible qualifying loan expenses.
b. The designated high-growth STEM occupations for the initial two years of the program are:
(1) Operations research analyst;
(2) Statistician;
(3) Mathematician;
(4) Software developer, applications;
(5) Web developer;
(6) Computer systems analyst;
(7) Biomedical engineer;
(8) Computer and information systems manager;
(9) Geological and petroleum technician;
(10) Geoscientist, except hydrologist and geographer;
(11) Environmental engineer;
(12) Hydrologist;
(13) Actuary;
(14) Software developer, systems software;
(15) Physicist; and
(16) Biochemist and biophysicist.
c. Every two years the authority, in consultation with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, shall identify high-growth STEM occupations that will qualify under the program. The occupations identified shall be ones with projected growth in New Jersey of at least 10 percent, based on the most recently reported data from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics or occupations the authority reasonably deems important to the State's strategic economic development goals. Medical doctor and teaching profession shall not be included as designated high-growth STEM occupations.
L.2018, c.142, s.2.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71C-68 - Eligibility for participation.

18A:71C-68 Eligibility for participation.
3. To be eligible to participate in the program, an applicant shall:
a. be a resident of the State and maintain residency during program participation;
b. be a graduate of an approved STEM degree program at an institution of higher education located in New Jersey;
c. have an outstanding balance on a qualifying student loan and not be in default on any qualifying student loan;
d. have been employed full-time in a designated high-growth STEM occupation for a minimum of four years prior to initial application to the program and be employed thereafter for an additional one to four years in a designated high-growth STEM occupation;
e. provide certification that the applicant's employer has agreed to annually provide the applicant at least a 100 percent match of the loan redemption benefit under the program during the applicant's participation in the program and employment in a designed high-growth STEM occupation; and
f. satisfy any additional criteria the authority may establish.
L.2018, c.142, s.3.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71C-69 - Selection of participants.

18A:71C-69 Selection of participants.
4. The executive director or his designee shall select the program participants from among those applicants who meet the eligibility criteria established pursuant to section 3 of this act, subject to available funds.
L.2018, c.142, s.4.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71C-70 - Written contract between authority and participant; conditions for redemption of loan indebtedness.

18A:71C-70 Written contract between authority and participant; conditions for redemption of loan indebtedness.
5. a. A person who meets the eligibility requirements under section 3 of this act and has been selected by the executive director or his designee for participation in the program shall enter into a written contract with the authority. The contract shall specify the dates of required employment by the program participant in a designated high-growth STEM occupation and shall require the program participant to serve at least one year in a designated high-growth STEM occupation.
b. Prior to the annual redemption of loan indebtedness:
(1) the program participant shall submit to the authority certification of full-time employment in a designated high-growth STEM occupation for the full year period; and
(2) the employer of the program participant shall pay the annual matching contribution to the authority in an amount equal to or greater than the $1,000 annual State-funded loan redemption benefit.
c. Upon certification that a program participant has met all criteria for the annual redemption of loan indebtedness under the program, the authority shall combine the employer matching contribution and the State appropriated funds into a single payment to redeem a portion of the participant's loan.
d. A program participant, as a condition of participation, shall be required to adhere to performance standards established by the executive director or his designee.
e. A program participant shall be eligible for participation in the program for four years, even if the occupation in which the person is employed is no longer a designated high-growth STEM occupation.
L.2018, c.142, s.5.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71C-71 - Conditions for nullification of agreement.

18A:71C-71 Conditions for nullification of agreement.
6. a. A program participant who has previously entered into a contract with the authority may nullify the agreement by notifying the authority in writing and reassuming full responsibility for the remaining outstanding balance of the loan debt. In no event shall employment for less than the full calendar year entitle the program participant to any benefits under the program.
b. In the case of a program participant's death or total and permanent disability, the authority shall nullify the employment obligation of the program participant. The nullification shall terminate the authority's obligations under the loan redemption contract. When continued enforcement of the contract may result in extreme hardship, the authority may nullify or suspend the employment obligation of the program participant.
c. In the case of a program participant's conviction of a crime or an act of gross negligence in the performance of employment obligations, or a program participant's breach of the standards established pursuant to section 5 of this act, the executive director or his designee is authorized to terminate the program participant's participation in the program.
L.2018, c.142, s.6.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71C-72 - False, misleading information supplied, fourth degree crime.

18A:71C-72 False, misleading information supplied, fourth degree crime.
7. A person who knowingly or willfully furnishes any false or misleading information for the purpose of receiving loan redemption benefits under the program is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.
L.2018, c.142, s.7.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71C-73 - Rules, regulations.

18A:71C-73 Rules, regulations.
8. The authority shall adopt rules and regulations pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), necessary to implement the provisions of this act.
L.2018, c.142, s.8.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71C-74 - Definitions.

18A:71C-74 Definitions.
1. As used in section 2 of this act:
"Authority" means the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority established pursuant to N.J.S.18A:71A-3.
"Eligible student loan expenses" means the outstanding balance of the principal and interest due on student loans used to cover the cost of attendance while enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program at an institution of higher education.
"Low performing public school" means a school located in New Jersey, under collegiate grade, which is operated by a school district or a charter school established pursuant to P.L.1995, c.426 (C.18A:36A-1 et seq.) that meets the criteria of paragraph (1) or paragraph (2):
(1) among all students in that school to whom a State assessment was administered, the sum of the percent of students scoring in the not yet meeting expectations and partially meeting expectations categories in both the language arts and mathematics subject areas of the State assessments exceeded 40% in each of the prior two school years; or
(2) among all students in that school to whom a State assessment was administered, the sum of the percent of students scoring in the not yet meeting expectations and partially meeting expectations categories in either the language arts or mathematics subject areas of the State assessment exceeded 65% in each of the prior two school years.
(3) A school shall continue to be designated a low performing school until such time that the sum of the percent of students scoring in the not yet meeting expectations and partially meeting expectations categories in both the language arts and mathematics subject areas of the State assessments is less than or equal to the sum of the Statewide percent of students scoring in the not yet meeting expectations and partially meeting expectations categories on the corresponding Statewide assessments.
"Program participant" means a person who is initially hired by a school district following the effective date of this act and who meets the criteria of section 2 of this act, and who has executed a contract with the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority for participation in the loan redemption program. A program participant shall be a resident of New Jersey.
"School district" means a local or regional school district established pursuant to chapter 8 or chapter 13 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes, a county vocational school district established pursuant to article 3 of chapter 54 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes, and a school district under full State intervention pursuant to P.L.1987, c.399 (C.18A:7A-34 et seq.).
L.2019, c.401, s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:71C-76 - Annual report to Governor, Legislature.

18A:71C-76 Annual report to Governor, Legislature.
3. The authority shall annually submit a report on the loan redemption program established pursuant to section 2 of this act to the Governor, and to the Legislature pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1). The report shall be submitted no later than July 1 of each year and shall include, but not be limited to, information on: the total number of program participants; the number of program participants entering the program in that year; a profile of the program participants, including demographic information, the school district in which the participant is employed and the school in which the participant teaches, and the institution of higher education from which the participant received a degree; the average annual loan redemption amount and the four-year average loan redemption amount of program participants; the number of applicants who were denied acceptance into the program, including the number who were denied due to a lack of program funding; and the amount of the annual appropriation used to administer the program.
L.2019, c.401, s.3.