1. The provisions of this section apply only to support fees received by a participant on or after July 1, 1997.

2. The three Nevada State Commissioners, acting jointly, may require a participant who is certified to practice in a profession which could benefit a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area or a medically underserved population of this State, as those terms are defined by the Office of Statewide Initiatives of the University of Nevada School of Medicine, to practice in such an area or with such a population, or to practice in an area designated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services:

(a) Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 254c, as containing a medically underserved population; or

(b) Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 254e, as a health professional shortage area,

as a condition to receiving a support fee.

3. The three Nevada State Commissioners, acting jointly, may forgive the portion of the support fee designated as the stipend of a participant if that participant agrees to practice in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area or an area with a medically underserved population of this State pursuant to subsection 2 for a period of time equal to the lesser of:

(a) One year for each year the participant receives a support fee; or

(b) One year for each 9 months the participant receives a support fee and is enrolled in an accelerated program that provides more than 1 academic year of graduate and professional education in 9 months,

but in no case for a period of time more than 2 years.

4. For a participant to qualify for forgiveness pursuant to subsection 3, the participant must complete the relevant practice within 5 years after the completion or termination of the participant’s education, internship or residency for which the participant received the support fee.

5. If a participant returns to or remains in this State but does not practice in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area or an area with a medically underserved population of this State pursuant to subsections 2, 3 and 4, the three Nevada State Commissioners, acting jointly, shall:

(a) Assess a default charge in an amount not less than three times the support fees, plus interest; and

(b) Convert the portion of the support fee designated as the stipend into a loan to be repaid in accordance with NRS 397.064 from the first day of the term for which the participant received the support fee.

6. As used in this section, a “profession which could benefit a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area or an area with a medically underserved population of this State” includes, without limitation, dentistry, physical therapy, pharmacy and practicing as a physician assistant licensed pursuant to chapter 630 or 633 of NRS.

(Added to NRS by 1997, 946; A 2001, 780; 2003, 939; 2007, 1852; 2015, 1507)