Oklahoma § 70-697.21

§ 70-697.21.

fund.

Physician Assistant Scholarship Program – Revolving

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools

A. There is hereby established the Physician Assistant

Scholarship Program. The purpose of the program is to encourage

persons to enter physician assistant education programs and to

practice in rural and medically underserved areas of this state.

The Physician Assistant Scholarship Program shall be administered by

the Health Care Workforce Training Commission pursuant to rules

promulgated by the Commission and shall be funded based on an annual

estimate of need as determined by the Commission. Awards made

pursuant to this Program shall be subject to the availability of

funds. The number of and amount of each award shall be determined

by the Commission based on the availability of funds.

B. Only students who have been admitted as a student in an

accredited physician assistant program shall be eligible to

participate in the Physician Assistant Scholarship Program.

C. If a person receiving Physician Assistant Scholarship

Program monies fails to fully comply with the provisions of the

contract for the monies, the person shall refund to the Health Care

Workforce Training Commission all monies received by the person

pursuant to the provisions of the contract plus interest at a rate

that equals the prime interest rate plus one percent (1%) from the

date of disbursement of the funds and shall be liable for any other

liquidated damages as specified in the contract.

D. There is hereby created in the State Treasury a revolving

fund for the Health Care Workforce Training Commission to be

designated the "Physician Assistant Scholarship Fund". The fund

shall be a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal year limitations,

and shall consist of all monies received by the Health Care

Workforce Training Commission for implementation of the Physician

Assistant Scholarship Program. All monies accruing to the credit of

the fund are hereby appropriated and may be budgeted and expended by

the Health Care Workforce Training Commission for such scholarships

as may be provided for pursuant to the Physician Assistant

Scholarship Program. Expenditures from the fund shall be made upon

warrants issued by the State Treasurer against claims filed as

prescribed by law with the Director of the Office of Management and

Enterprise Services for approval and payment.

Added by Laws 2005, c. 288, § 3, eff. July 1, 2005. Amended by Laws

2012, c. 304, § 622; Laws 2018, c. 286, § 8, eff. Nov. 1, 2018; Laws

2022, c. 407, § 33.

NOTE: In accordance with Article VI, Section 11, of the Oklahoma

Constitution, House Bill 2776 became law without the Governor's

signature. It was filed with the Oklahoma Secretary of State on May

27, 2022.

§70-697.21a. Promulgation of rules.

The Health Care Workforce Training Commission shall promulgate

rules to enforce the provisions of this act.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools

Added by Laws 2018, c. 286, § 9, eff. Nov. 1, 2018. Amended by Laws

2022, c. 407, § 34.

NOTE: In accordance with Article VI, Section 11, of the Oklahoma

Constitution, House Bill 2776 became law without the Governor's

signature. It was filed with the Oklahoma Secretary of State on May

27, 2022.

§70-697.21b. Health Care Workforce Development Revolving Fund.

A. There is hereby created in the State Treasury until July 1,

2027, a revolving fund for the Health Care Workforce Training

Commission to be designated the "Health Care Workforce Development

Revolving Fund". The fund shall be a continuing fund, not subject

to fiscal year limitations, and shall consist of all available

monies:

1. Received by the state as Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal

Recovery Funds pursuant to Section 9901 of the American Rescue Plan

Act of 2021, Pub. L. No. 117-2;

2. Directed to the state by the federal government for the

purpose of recruiting, educating, and stabilizing Oklahoma's health

care workforce;

3. Derived as interest and income from deposits and investments

of fund assets; and

4. Designated for deposit by law.

B. 1. All monies accruing to the credit of said fund are

hereby appropriated and may be budgeted and expended by the Health

Care Workforce Training Commission for authorized purposes as

provided in paragraph 2 of this subsection. Expenditures from said

fund shall be made upon warrants issued by the State Treasurer

against claims filed as prescribed by law with the Director of the

Office of Management and Enterprise Services for approval and

payment.

2. All monies accruing to the credit of said fund shall be

utilized for the purpose of recruiting, educating, and stabilizing

Oklahoma's health care workforce, including the costs and expenses

of operating such programs.

3. All monies accruing to the credit of the fund shall be

budgeted or encumbered no later than December 31, 2024, and shall be

expended no later than December 31, 2026.

4. All monies accruing to the credit of the fund shall be

budgeted, expended, and transferred in strict accordance with

applicable state and federal law and guidance providing for and

limiting the utilization of such funds.

Added by Laws 2022, c. 407, § 2.

NOTE: In accordance with Article VI, Section 11, of the Oklahoma

Constitution, House Bill 2776 became law without the Governor's

signature. It was filed with the Oklahoma Secretary of State on May

27, 2022.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools