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.


LRB103 28578 RJT 54959 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB3457LRB103 28578 RJT 54959 b

1    AN ACT concerning education.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
5Underserved Dental Provider Workforce Act.
 
6    Section 5. Purposes. The purpose of this Act is to
7establish programs in the Illinois Department of Public Health
8to upgrade dental care services for all citizens of the State
9and to increase access and to reduce dental care disparities
10by providing a loan repayment program for eligible dentists
11who will agree to practice in areas of the State demonstrating
12the greatest need for more professional dental care. The
13programs shall encourage eligible dentists to locate in areas
14where health dental care shortages exist and to increase the
15total number of eligible dentists in the State.
 
16    Section 10. Definitions. In this Act:
17    "Department" means the Department of Public Health.
18    "Director" means the Director of Public Health.
19    "Dentist means a dentist licensed under the Illinois
20Dental Practice Act.
21    "Designated shortage area" means an area designated by the
22Director as a dental shortage area.

 

 

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1    "Eligible dentist" means a dentist who resides and
2provides dental services in a designated shortage area.
 
3    Section 15. Powers of the Department. The Department may
4exercise the powers indicated in Sections 15.05 through 15.20
5of this Act.
 
6    Section 15.05. Federal funds. To receive and disburse
7federal funds in accordance with the purpose stated in Section
82 of this Act.
 
9    Section 15.10. Contracts and agreements. To enter into
10contracts or agreements with any agency or department of the
11State of Illinois or the United States to carry out the
12provisions of this Act.
 
13    Section 15.15. Repayment of educational loans for eligible
14dentists. To establish programs, and the criteria for such
15programs, for the repayment of the educational loans of
16eligible dentists who agree to serve in designated shortage
17areas for a period of not less than 2 years. Payments under
18this program may be made for the principal, interest, and
19related expenses of government and commercial loans received
20by the individual for tuition expenses, and all other
21reasonable educational expenses incurred by the individual.
22Payments made under this provision shall be exempt from

 

 

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1Illinois State Income Tax. The Department may use tobacco
2settlement recovery funding or other available funding to
3implement this Section.
 
4    Section 15.20. Rulemaking. To adopt rules that are
5necessary for the establishment and maintenance of the
6programs required by this Act.
 
7    Section 20. Administrative Procedure Act. The Illinois
8Administrative Procedure Act is hereby expressly adopted and
9incorporated herein as if all of the provisions of such Act
10were included in this Act.
 
11    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect July 1,
122024.