1. (a) Subject to available funding, the department shall establish a program to assist communities in recruiting health professionals to practice in medically underserved communities by providing a stipend to health professionals who agree to serve in those communities.
2. (b) A stipend awarded under this section may be paid in periodic installments.
3. (c) A health professional who participates in the program established under this section must establish an office and residency in the medically underserved area before receiving any portion of the stipend.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 435, Sec. 2, eff. May 28, 2001. Redesignated from Health and Safety Code Sec. 106.304 and amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 609, Sec. 6, eff. Sept. 1, 2003;

Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1276, Sec. 9.006(e), eff. Sept. 1, 2003.

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1241 (H.B. 2542), Sec. 42, eff. June 15, 2007.

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 112 (H.B. 1918), Sec. 69, eff. September 1, 2009.

Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 148 (H.B. 1493), Sec. 34, eff. September 1, 2013.