(a) Persons participating in the program shall be persons who agree in writing prior to completing an accredited medical or osteopathic school based in the United States to serve in an eligible practice setting, pursuant to subdivision (g) of Section 128565, for at least three years. The program shall be used only for the purpose of promoting the education of medical doctors and doctors of osteopathy and related administrative costs.

(b) A program participant shall commit to three years of full-time professional practice once the participant has achieved full licensure pursuant to Article 4 (commencing with Section 2080) of Chapter 5 of Division 2 of, or Section 2099.5 of, the Business and Professions Code and after completing an accredited residency program. The obligated professional service shall be in direct patient care in an eligible practice setting pursuant to subdivision (g) of Section 128565.

(1) Leaves of absence either during medical school or service obligation shall be permitted for serious illness, pregnancy, or other natural causes. The selection committee shall develop the process for determining the maximum permissible length of an absence, the maximum permissible leaves of absences, and the process for reinstatement. Awarding of scholarship funds shall be deferred until the participant is back to full-time status.

(2) Full-time status shall be defined by the selection committee. The selection committee may establish exemptions from this requirement on a case-by-case basis.

(c) The maximum allowable amount per total scholarship shall be one hundred five thousand dollars ($105,000). These moneys shall be distributed over the course of a standard medical school curriculum. The distribution of funds shall increase over the course of medical school, increasing to ensure that at least 45 percent of the total scholarship award is distributed upon matriculation in the final year of school.

(d) In the event the program participant does not complete medical school and the minimum three years of professional service pursuant to the contractual agreement between the foundation and the participant, the office shall recover the funds awarded plus the maximum allowable interest for failure to begin or complete the service obligation.

(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 76, Sec. 130. (AB 383) Effective January 1, 2014.)