42 USC 239l-2 - Students; selection; obligation

U.S Code last checked for updates: Nov 22, 2024

§ 239l–2.

Students; selection; obligation

(a)

Student selection

(1)

In general

(2)

Priority

(b)

Contract and service obligation

(1)

Contract

Upon being admitted to the Track, a medical, dental, physician assistant, pharmacy, behavioral and mental health, public health, or nursing student shall enter into a written contract with the Surgeon General that shall contain—

(A)

an agreement under which—

(i)

subject to subparagraph (B), the Surgeon General agrees to provide the student with tuition (or tuition remission) and a student stipend (described in paragraph (2)) in each school year for a period of years (not to exceed 4 school years) determined by the student, during which period the student is enrolled in the Track at an affiliated or other participating health professions institution pursuant to an agreement between the Track and such institution; and

(ii)

subject to subparagraph (B), the student agrees—

(I)

to accept the provision of such tuition and student stipend to the student;

(II)

to maintain enrollment at the Track until the student completes the course of study involved;

(III)

while enrolled in such course of study, to maintain an acceptable level of academic standing (as determined by the Surgeon General);

(IV)

if pursuing a degree from a school of medicine or osteopathic medicine, dental, public health, or nursing school or a physician assistant, pharmacy, or behavioral and mental health professional program, to complete a residency or internship in a specialty that the Surgeon General determines is appropriate; and

(V)

to serve for a period of time (referred to in this part as the “period of obligated service”) within the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service equal to 2 years for each school year during which such individual was enrolled at the College, reduced as provided for in paragraph (3);

(B)

a provision that any financial obligation of the United States arising out of a contract entered into under this part and any obligation of the student which is conditioned thereon, is contingent upon funds being appropriated to carry out this part;

(C)

a statement of the damages to which the United States is entitled for the student’s breach of the contract; and

(D)

such other statements of the rights and liabilities of the Secretary and of the individual, not inconsistent with the provisions of this part.

(2)

Tuition and student stipend

(A)

Tuition remission rates

(B)

Stipend

(3)

Reductions in the period of obligated service

The period of obligated service under paragraph (1)(A)(ii)(V) shall be reduced—

(A)

in the case of a student who elects to participate in a high-needs speciality residency (as determined by the National Health Care Workforce Commission), by 3 months for each year of such participation (not to exceed a total of 12 months); and

(B)

in the case of a student who, upon completion of their residency, elects to practice in a Federal medical facility (as defined in section 781(e)) 1

 So in original. Act July 1, 1944, does not contain a section 781.

that is located in a health professional shortage area (as defined in section 254e of this title), by 3 months for year 2

 So in original. Probably should be preceded by “each”.

of full-time practice in such a facility (not to exceed a total of 12 months).

(c)

Second 2 years of service

(d)

Dentist, physician assistant, pharmacist, behavioral and mental health professional, public health professional, and nurse training

(e)

Elite Federal disaster teams

(f)

Student dropped from Track in affiliate school

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title II, § 273, as added Pub. L. 111–148, title V, § 5315, Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 639.)

cite as: 42 USC 239l-2