HB3457 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 28578 RJT 54959 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB3457

Introduced 2/17/2023, by Rep. David Friess

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Underserved Dental Provider Workforce Act. Authorizes the Department of Public Health to establish programs for the repayment of the educational loans of dentists who agree to serve in designated shortage areas for at least 2 years. Authorizes the Department to adopt rules, enter into contracts and agreements, and receive and disburse federal funds as necessary to achieve the purposes of the Act. Effective July 1, 2024.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning education.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Underserved Dental Provider Workforce Act.

Section 5. Purposes. The purpose of this Act is to establish programs in the Illinois Department of Public Health to upgrade dental care services for all citizens of the State and to increase access and to reduce dental care disparities by providing a loan repayment program for eligible dentists who will agree to practice in areas of the State demonstrating the greatest need for more professional dental care. The programs shall encourage eligible dentists to locate in areas where health dental care shortages exist and to increase the total number of eligible dentists in the State.

Section 10. Definitions. In this Act:

"Department" means the Department of Public Health.

"Director" means the Director of Public Health.

"Dentist means a dentist licensed under the Illinois Dental Practice Act.

"Designated shortage area" means an area designated by the Director as a dental shortage area.

"Eligible dentist" means a dentist who resides and provides dental services in a designated shortage area.

Section 15. Powers of the Department. The Department may exercise the powers indicated in Sections 15.05 through 15.20 of this Act.

Section 15.05. Federal funds. To receive and disburse federal funds in accordance with the purpose stated in Section 2 of this Act.

Section 15.10. Contracts and agreements. To enter into contracts or agreements with any agency or department of the State of Illinois or the United States to carry out the provisions of this Act.

Section 15.15. Repayment of educational loans for eligible dentists. To establish programs, and the criteria for such programs, for the repayment of the educational loans of eligible dentists who agree to serve in designated shortage areas for a period of not less than 2 years. Payments under this program may be made for the principal, interest, and related expenses of government and commercial loans received by the individual for tuition expenses, and all other reasonable educational expenses incurred by the individual. Payments made under this provision shall be exempt from Illinois State Income Tax. The Department may use tobacco settlement recovery funding or other available funding to implement this Section.

Section 15.20. Rulemaking. To adopt rules that are necessary for the establishment and maintenance of the programs required by this Act.

Section 20. Administrative Procedure Act. The Illinois Administrative Procedure Act is hereby expressly adopted and incorporated herein as if all of the provisions of such Act were included in this Act.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect July 1, 2024.