1. (a) A student may receive assistance under this subchapter only if the student signs a contract agreeing to provide health care services to the sponsoring community on completion of the academic program and licensure or certification in the health care profession for which the student is sponsored.

2. (b) The contract must provide that if the student does not provide the required services to the community or provides those services for less than the required time, the student is personally liable to the state for:

   1. (1) the total amount of assistance the student receives from the department and the sponsoring community;
   2. (2) interest on the total amount at a rate set by the department; and
   3. (3) the state's reasonable expenses incurred in obtaining payment, including reasonable attorney's fees.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1424, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1241 (H.B. 2542), Sec. 27, eff. June 15, 2007.

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 112 (H.B. 1918), Sec. 40, eff. September 1, 2009.

Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 148 (H.B. 1493), Sec. 19, eff. September 1, 2013.