§ 6-81-1803. Osteopathic Rural Medical Practice Student Loan and Scholarship Board

(a)

1. (1) There is established the Osteopathic Rural Medical Practice Student Loan and Scholarship Board composed of:

   1. (A) One (1) representative of each medical school in Arkansas that is not the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences;

   2. (B) One (1) representative of the Arkansas Osteopathic Medical Association, who shall serve as vice chair;

   3. (C) Two (2) physician members appointed by the Arkansas Osteopathic Medical Association, giving preference to physicians who have received osteopathic rural medical practice loans, community match loans, or income incentives; and

   4. (D) Two (2) representatives appointed by the Arkansas Hospital Association, Inc.

2. (2) Members of the board shall:

   1. (A) Serve a term of three (3) years; and

   2. (B) Not serve more than two (2) consecutive terms.

3. (3) Except as provided under subsection (c) of this section, members of the board shall serve without compensation.

4. (4) Vacancies shall be filled in a similar manner as provided under subdivisions (a)(1) and (2) of this section.

(b) The board shall:

1. (1) Promulgate reasonable rules necessary to execute the provisions of this subchapter, including without limitation rules addressing the requirements and in conformance with the requirements of the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act, § 25-15-201 et seq., and other appropriate state laws in promulgating and placing rules into effect:

   1. (A) For a health professions shortage area;

   2. (B) To become a qualified rural community eligible to participate in the Osteopathic Rural Medical Practice Student Loan and Scholarship Program under this subchapter; and

   3. (C) For a procedure to resolve disputes arising out of or relating to a rural practice or community match loan or income incentive contract;

2. (2) Prescribe forms for and regulate the submission of loan applications;

3. (3) Determine eligibility of applicants;

4. (4) Allow or disallow loan or income incentive applications;

5. (5) Contract, increase, decrease, terminate, and otherwise regulate all loan and income incentive disbursements for these purposes, receipts for their repayment, and convert loans to scholarships or grants, as applicable;

6. (6) Manage, operate, and control all funds and property appropriated or otherwise contributed for this purpose;

7. (7) Accept gifts, grants, bequests, or devises and apply them as a part of the Osteopathic Rural Medical Practice Student Loan and Scholarship Program;

8. (8) Sue and be sued as the board; and

9. (9) Accept moneys from federal programs that may be used for furtherance of the purposes of this subchapter.

(c) The members of the board may receive expense reimbursement and stipends in accordance with § 25-16-901 et seq.

(d) The board shall administer the Osteopathic Rural Medical Practice Student Loan and Scholarship Program and the Community Match Rural Physician Recruitment Program.