18A:71C-49 OB/GYN student loan expense reimbursement program.

29. a. There is established a student loan expense reimbursement program within the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority for obstetrician/gynecologists who agree to practice in State designated underserved areas as established pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1999, c.46 (C.18A:71C-35). Any loans provided through the NJCLASS Loan Program pursuant to P.L.1999, c.46 (C.18A:71C-21 et seq.) or a student loan program of the federal government shall be eligible for reimbursement under this program.

The authority shall implement the program in consultation with the Commissioners of Banking and Insurance and Health and Senior Services and the State Board of Medical Examiners.

b. (1) An obstetrician/gynecologist who receives a payment under the student loan expense reimbursement program shall be required to practice as an obstetrician/gynecologist in an underserved area in this State for a period of at least four years after receipt of the payment.

(2) An obstetrician/gynecologist who fails to comply with the provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be required to repay to the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority the amount of the payment, in whole or in part as determined by the authority.

c. The authority shall adopt rules and regulations, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), to effectuate the purposes of this section, including, but not limited to: eligibility for the program, procedures for application, selection of participants, establishment and nullification of contracts established with participants under the program, and reports to the program by participants.

L.2004,c.17,s.29.