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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to student loan repayment assistance for certain |
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physicians employed as county medical examiners. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 61.532, Education Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows: |
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(a-1) A physician employed as a forensic pathologist is |
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eligible to receive repayment assistance under this subchapter to |
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the same extent as a physician who qualifies for repayment |
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assistance under Subsection (a), if the physician: |
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(1) satisfies the requirements of Subsections (a)(1) |
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and (2); and |
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(2) enters into a written agreement with the board to |
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complete four consecutive years of practice as a forensic |
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pathologist employed as a county medical examiner in a county |
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located within 100 kilometers of the Rio Grande River. |
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SECTION 2. Section 61.533, Education Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsections (c) and (d) to read as follows: |
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(c) Repayment assistance grants paid in relation to |
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services described by Section 61.532(a-1) are limited to 10 |
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physicians. In selecting physicians to receive repayment |
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assistance under this subsection, the board shall prioritize |
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physicians employed as a county medical examiner serving counties |
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with the highest demand for forensic pathologist services based on: |
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(1) the relative scarcity of forensic pathologists in |
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the county; and |
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(2) the average caseload of the county medical |
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examiner. |
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(d) A physician employed as a forensic pathologist who |
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enters into an agreement with the board under Section |
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61.532(a-1)(2) shall reimburse the board for the amount of any |
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repayment assistance received by the physician under this |
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subchapter if the physician fails to complete the consecutive years |
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of practice required by that section. The board by rule may provide |
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an exception to the reimbursement required under this subsection in |
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the event of a hardship or for other good cause shown by a |
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physician. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |