Section 43-12.3-06 - Student loan repayment program - Contract1. The department of health and human services shall enter a contract with a selected health care professional. The department of health and human services shall agree to provide student loan repayments on behalf of the selected health care professional subject to the requirements and limitations of this section. a. For a physician:(1) The loan repayment may not exceed twenty thousand dollars per year, and may not exceed one hundred thousand dollars over five years; and(2) The matching funds must equal fifty percent of the amount required in paragraph 1.b. For a clinical psychologist:(1) The loan repayment may not exceed twelve thousand dollars per year, and may not exceed sixty thousand dollars over five years; and(2) The matching funds must equal twenty-five percent of the amount required in paragraph 1.c. For an advanced practice registered nurse, registered nurse, or a physician assistant: (1) The loan repayment may not exceed four thousand dollars per year, and may not exceed twenty thousand dollars over five years; and(2) The matching funds must equal ten percent of the amount required in paragraph 1.d. For a behavioral health professional: (1) The loan repayment may not exceed four thousand dollars per year, and may not exceed twenty thousand dollars over five years; and(2) The matching funds must equal ten percent of the amount required in paragraph 1.e. For purposes of this section, a behavioral health professional means an individual who practices in the behavioral health field and is: (1) A licensed addiction counselor;(2) A licensed professional counselor;(3) A licensed social worker;(5) A specialty practice registered nurse; or(6) A licensed behavior analyst.2.a. Payments under this section must be made on behalf of the health care professional directly to the Bank of North Dakota or to another participating lending institution.b. Except as otherwise provided, payments under this section may be made only at the conclusion of each twelve-month period of service.c. Prorated payments may be made only if: (1) The repayment of the loan requires less than a full annual payment;(2) The health care professional is terminated or resigns from his or her position; or(3) The health care professional is unable to complete a twelve-month period of service due to the individual's death, a certifiable medical condition or disability, or a call to military service.3. Payments under this section terminate upon the earlier of: a. The full repayment of the health care professional's student loan; orb. The completion of five years as a participant in the student loan repayment program.4. The department of health and human services shall waive the requirements of this section which pertain to matching funds if the health care professional opens a new practice as a solo practitioner in a city that has fewer than fifteen thousand residents.Amended by S.L. 2023 , ch. 229( HB 1165 ), § 84, eff. 7/1/2023.Amended by S.L. 2023, ch. 381 (SB 2344),§ 1, eff. 7/1/2023.Amended by S.L. 2021 , ch. 310( SB 2125 ), § 1, eff. 8/1/2021.Amended by S.L. 2019 , ch. 348( SB 2143 ), § 1, eff. 8/1/2019.Added by S.L. 2015 , ch. 294( HB 1396 ), § 6, eff. 8/1/2015.