By Junell H.B. No. 1575
77R4856 KSD-D
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to student loan repayment assistance for certain dental
1-3 hygienists.
1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 SECTION 1. Chapter 61, Education Code, is amended by adding
1-6 Subchapter X to read as follows:
1-7 SUBCHAPTER X. DENTAL HYGIENISTS STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM
1-8 Sec. 61.9401. REPAYMENT AUTHORIZED. The board may provide,
1-9 using funds appropriated for that purpose and in accordance with
1-10 this subchapter and rules of the board, assistance in the repayment
1-11 of student loans for dental hygienists who apply and qualify for
1-12 the assistance.
1-13 Sec. 61.9402. ELIGIBILITY. To be eligible to receive
1-14 repayment assistance, a dental hygienist must:
1-15 (1) apply to the board;
1-16 (2) have graduated from a dental hygiene degree or
1-17 certificate program at an institution of higher education; and
1-18 (3) have practiced dental hygiene under a license
1-19 issued under Chapter 256, Occupations Code, for at least one year
1-20 in an area of the state that is underserved with respect to dental
1-21 hygiene services.
1-22 Sec. 61.9403. LIMITATION. A dental hygienist may receive
1-23 repayment assistance grants for each of not more than five years.
1-24 Sec. 61.9404. ELIGIBLE LOANS. (a) The board may provide
2-1 repayment assistance for the repayment of any student loan received
2-2 by a dental hygienist through any lender for the costs of
2-3 attendance at an institution of higher education while enrolled in
2-4 any course work before the person received a degree or certificate
2-5 in dental hygiene or while enrolled in a dental hygiene program.
2-6 (b) The board may not provide repayment assistance for a
2-7 student loan that is in default at the time of the dental
2-8 hygienist's application.
2-9 (c) Each state fiscal biennium, the board shall attempt to
2-10 allocate all funds appropriated to it for the purpose of providing
2-11 repayment assistance under this subchapter.
2-12 Sec. 61.9405. REPAYMENT. (a) The coordinating board shall
2-13 deliver any repayment made under this subchapter in a lump sum
2-14 payable to the lender and the dental hygienist, in accordance with
2-15 any applicable federal law.
2-16 (b) A repayment made under this subchapter may be applied to
2-17 any amount due in connection with the loan.
2-18 Sec. 61.9406. ADVISORY COMMITTEES. The board may:
2-19 (1) appoint advisory committees to assist the board
2-20 in performing its duties under this subchapter; and
2-21 (2) request the assistance of the Oral Health Services
2-22 Advisory Committee in performing those duties.
2-23 Sec. 61.9407. ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS AND GRANTS. The board may
2-24 accept gifts, grants, and donations for the purposes of this
2-25 subchapter.
2-26 Sec. 61.9408. RULES. (a) The board shall adopt rules to
2-27 administer this subchapter, including a rule that sets a maximum
3-1 amount of repayment assistance that may be received by a dental
3-2 hygienist in one year. The board may consult with the Oral Health
3-3 Services Advisory Committee to assist the board in establishing
3-4 priorities among eligible dental hygienists for repayment
3-5 assistance, taking into account the degree of an area's shortage of
3-6 dental hygiene services, geographic locations, whether the dental
3-7 hygienist is or will be providing service in an underserved area
3-8 with respect to dental hygiene services, and other criteria the
3-9 board considers appropriate.
3-10 (b) The coordinating board shall distribute to each dental
3-11 hygiene school in this state and to appropriate state agencies and
3-12 professional associations copies of the rules adopted under this
3-13 section and other pertinent information relating to this
3-14 subchapter.
3-15 Sec. 61.9409. TOTAL AMOUNT OF REPAYMENT ASSISTANCE. The
3-16 total amount of repayment assistance distributed by the board under
3-17 this subchapter may not exceed the total amount of gifts and grants
3-18 accepted by the board for repayment assistance, tuition set aside
3-19 under Section 61.9410, legislative appropriations for repayment
3-20 assistance, and other funds available to the board for purposes of
3-21 this subchapter.
3-22 Sec. 61.9410. TUITION SET ASIDE FOR CERTAIN LOAN REPAYMENTS.
3-23 (a) The governing board of each institution of higher education
3-24 authorized by the board to award a degree or certificate in dental
3-25 hygiene shall set aside two percent of tuition charges for resident
3-26 students enrolled in the degree program.
3-27 (b) The amount set aside shall be transferred to the
4-1 comptroller to be maintained in the state treasury for the sole
4-2 purpose of repayment of student loans of dental hygienists under
4-3 this subchapter. Section 403.095(b), Government Code, does not
4-4 apply to the amount set aside under this section.
4-5 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.
4-6 SECTION 3. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
4-7 shall adopt the rules for repayment assistance under Subchapter X,
4-8 Chapter 61, Education Code, as added by this Act, not later than
4-9 December 1, 2001.