Idaho § 33-3731

§ 33-3731.

contract requirements for state-supported medical students - HUMAN medical education reimbursement fund.

(1)(a) An individual who qualifies as an Idaho resident pursuant to section 33-3717B , Idaho Code, and who is accepted into a human medical or veterinary education program enrolling Idaho students supported by Idaho state funds in slots reserved for Idaho students shall, before confirming enrollment in such program or school, enter into a contract with the state board of education or the board’s designee.

(b) For human medical and veterinary students, such contract shall specify that the individual will commit to entering active full-time professional practice in Idaho for a period of four (4) years within one (1) year of:

(i) Obtaining a license to practice medicine;

(ii) Finishing a residency or subspecialty residency; or

(iii) Finishing a human medical or veterinary education fellowship as defined by the state board of education or the board’s designee.

(c) For veterinary education students beginning the 2027-2028 academic year, the contract shall specify that the individual will commit to a course of study and subsequent service that includes mixed practice agricultural animal veterinary medicine. The contract shall also require that no less than six hundred (600) hours of annual full-time clinical practice during the four (4) years of full-time professional practice shall be devoted to providing veterinary services to agricultural animals. Compliance with this requirement shall be reviewed on an annual basis.

(d) For purposes of this section, the term "agricultural animal" shall include cattle, sheep, goats, and swine.

(2) Each year of a human medical or veterinary medicine residency served in Idaho, up to four (4) years, will be credited as one-half (1/2) year of the practice requirement provided in subsection (1) of this section. For veterinary education students, such residency training shall require that a majority of time be devoted to mixed practice agricultural animal veterinary medicine. After the fourth year, no credit shall be given for any additional residency years.

(3) An individual who fails to abide by the contract described in subsection (1) of this section shall reimburse the state for the state’s financial obligation in supporting the individual’s human medical or veterinary medicine education, as determined by the state board of education or the board’s designee. Reimbursement must:

(a) Begin within one (1) year of:

(i) Obtaining a license to practice medicine;

(ii) Finishing a residency or subspecialty residency; or

(iii) Finishing a human medical or veterinary education fellowship as defined by the state board of education or the board’s designee;

(b) Be paid according to an amortized schedule established by the state board of education or the board’s designee; and

(c) Be completed within eight (8) years of the date the reimbursement requirement began.

(4) The reimbursement obligation described in subsection (3) of this section:

(a) Shall not accrue any interest; and

(b) May, by act of the state board of education or the board’s designee, be:

(i) Suspended if reimbursement is temporarily impossible or would create extreme hardship for a temporary period, including but not limited to suspension for medical reasons, personal reasons, parental leave, or call to active duty in the armed forces; or

(ii) Waived if:

1. Reimbursement is permanently impossible or would create extreme hardship, including but not limited to death, inability to complete the program, or inability to obtain a license to practice medicine; or

2. The individual owing reimbursement is participating in a program of the federal government or United States armed forces that has a service requirement.

(5) The provisions of this section shall apply to individuals matriculating in a medical education program enrolling Idaho students supported by Idaho state funds in slots reserved for Idaho human medical students in fall 2023 and thereafter and to individuals matriculating in a veterinary education program enrolling Idaho students supported by Idaho state funds in slots reserved for Idaho veterinary students in fall 2027 and thereafter.

(6) There is hereby established in the state treasury a medical education reimbursement fund, which shall be administered by the state board of education or the board’s designee. Moneys in the fund shall:

(a) Consist of:

(i) Reimbursement paid pursuant to subsection (3) of this section;

(ii) Legislative appropriations;

(iii) Donations; and

(iv) Interest earned on idle moneys in the fund; and

(b) Be used for, subject to availability:

(i) The costs of administering and enforcing the provisions of this section; and

(ii) Incentive grants in an amount and according to a program established under state board of education policy. Such grants shall be awarded to licensed physicians who practice human medicine or licensed veterinarians who practice veterinary medicine in Idaho and who meet other criteria provided in board policy.

(7) The state board of education is authorized to take such actions as are necessary to effectuate the provisions of this section.

[33-3731, added 2022, ch. 278, sec. 1, p. 887; am. 2025, ch. 257, sec. 2, p. 1127; am. 2026, ch. 246, sec. 1, p. 1045.]