1. (a) In this section, “Council” means the Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment Program Advisory Council for Physicians and Physician Assistants.
2. (b) There is a Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment Program Advisory Council for Physicians and Physician Assistants.

3. (c) The Council consists of the following members:

   1. (1) The Chair of the Health Services Cost Review Commission, or the Chair's designee;
   2. (2) The Chair of the Maryland Health Care Commission, or the Chair's designee;
   3. (3) The President of the Maryland Hospital Association, or the President's designee;
   4. (4) The Dean of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, or the Dean's designee;
   5. (5) The Dean of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, or the Dean's designee;
   6. (6) The President of MedChi, or the President's designee;
   7. (7) One representative of the Primary Care Office in the Office of Population Health Improvement;
   8. (8) One representative of the State Board of Physicians;
   9. (9) One representative of the Maryland Academy of Physician Assistants; and
   10. (10) Any other members as determined necessary by the Secretary.

4. (d)

   1. (1) The members of the Council shall select the chair of the Council.

   2. (2) A member of the Council:

      1. (i) May not receive compensation as a member of the Council; but
      2. (ii) Is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.
   3. (3) The Council shall meet at least three times a year.
5. (e) The Department shall provide staff for the Council.

6. (f) The Council shall:

   1. (1) Seek permanent and diverse revenue sources to aid in the stability and further development of the Program;
   2. (2) Help ensure maximum use of federal funds;
   3. (3) Use available data and information to help direct funding to priority areas;
   4. (4) Monitor similar loan programs in other states and ensure that the Program remains competitive;
   5. (5) Assist the Department in the administration of the Program;
   6. (6) Help market and raise awareness of the Program through educational institutions and other appropriate entities as an incentive to health care providers to practice in underserved areas; and
   7. (7) Make recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly on any necessary changes to the Program.
7. (g) On or before October 1 each year, the Council shall report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2-1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly on the activities and recommendations of the Council.

Added by Acts 2022, c. 395, § 1, eff. July 1, 2022; Acts 2022, c. 396, § 1, eff. July 1, 2022.