1. A. Eligibility. To be eligible for the Program, a nurse or nursing support staff shall:

   1. (1) Be liable and personally owe education loan debt;
   2. (2) Be a United States citizen or national;
   3. (3) Have a valid employment contract with an eligible practice site in the State that will be in effect by the start of any service obligation to be fulfilled;
   4. (4) Provide evidence of practice as either part-time or full-time at the eligible practice site;
   5. (5) Practice full-time or part-time providing health care services at an eligible practice site, with at least eighty percent of time spent in direct patient care for at least a minimum of 45 weeks per year;
   6. (6) Utilize Program funds for the repayment of eligible education loans; and
   7. (7) Possess an active and valid certificate or license to practice nursing or fulfill a nursing support staff role in the State, without restrictions or encumbrances.

2. B. Eligibility Restrictions. To be eligible for the Program, a nurse or nursing support staff may not have:

   1. (1) Federal or State judgment liens;
   2. (2) Defaulted on any federal or State payment obligations even if the governmental creditor now considers them to be in good standing;
   3. (3) Breached a prior service obligation to federal, State, or local government or any other entity, even if the obligation is subsequently satisfied;
   4. (4) Any federal or non-federal debt written off as uncollectible or received a waiver of any service or payment obligation;
   5. (5) Any outstanding contractual obligations for health care professional service to the federal government, another state loan repayment program, or other entities unless those service obligations are completely satisfied prior to the commencement of the Program service obligation; and
   6. (6) Received the two maximum awards for service obligations to the Program.

3. C. Eligible Practice Sites. An eligible practice site shall:

   1. (1) Be an eligible field of employment in accordance with Health-General Article, §24–1904, Annotated Code of Maryland;
   2. (2) Be physically located in the State;
   3. (3) Provide services to all patients regardless of their ability to pay;

   4. (4) If the practice site charges for health care professional services:

      1. (a) Charge at the usual and customary prevailing rate;
      2. (b) Utilize a financial aid policy of discounts or sliding fee scale for individuals with limited incomes; and
      3. (c) Accept reimbursement from Medicare, the Maryland Medical Assistance Program, and the Maryland Children’s Health Insurance Program, if applicable to the patient type.

Authority: Health-General Article, §§24–1901—24-1906, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: March 2, 2026 (53:4 Md. R. 185)