SB2590

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the limited supply of physicians and the attractiveness of private practice inhibit the efforts of the department of health to provide primary medical care in certain rural communities of the State. The legislature further finds that, regardless of the amount of tuition a student at the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine may pay for a course of study leading to the awarding of a medical doctor degree, the State substantially subsidizes the education of these medical school students.

The purpose of this Act is to provide an opportunity for physicians who have graduated from the University of Hawaii John A. Burns school of medicine and completed their residency, to repay their debt by serving in rural communities in the State.

SECTION 2. Chapter 304A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part IV to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§304A- Graduates of school of medicine; service in rural communities within the State. Each student who:

(1) Is a graduate of the University of Hawaii John A. Burns school of medicine;

(2) Has completed residency whether in this State or another state; and

(3) Has obtained a license to practice medicine:

(A) Within the State pursuant to chapter 453 or 460; or

(B) In another state under the laws of another state,

shall be required to work as a practicing physician in a rural community within the State pursuant to section 453‑ ."

SECTION 3. Chapter 453, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§453- Mandatory service in rural community; who; duration; when; penalty; rules. (a) Each person who:

(1) Is a graduate of the University of Hawaii John A. Burns school of medicine;

(2) Has completed residency whether in this State or in another state; and

(3) Has obtained a license to practice medicine:

(A) Within the State pursuant to chapter 453; or

(B) In another state under the laws of another state,

shall be required to work in a rural community within the State for a total of two years and shall complete those two years of work no later than years of obtaining a license to practice medicine; provided that the two years of work need not be performed consecutively as long as the person works a total of twenty-four full calendar months. If a person has obtained a license to practice in another state, that person shall first obtain a license to practice in this State under chapter 453 prior to working in the State to fulfill the obligations of this subsection.

(b) A person subject to subsection (a) who does not comply with subsection (a) shall pay a civil fine of not more than $ .

SECTION 4. Chapter 460, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§460- Mandatory service in rural community; who; duration; when; penalty; rules. (a) Each person who:

(1) Is a graduate of the University of Hawaii John A. Burns school of medicine;

(2) Has completed residency whether in this State or in another state; and

(3) Has obtained a license to practice osteopathy:

(A) Within the State pursuant to chapter 460; or

(B) In another state under the laws of another state,

shall be required to work in a rural community within the State for a total of two years and shall complete those two years of work no later than years of obtaining a license to practice medicine; provided that the two years of work need not be performed consecutively as long as the person works a total of twenty-four full calendar months. If a person has obtained a license to practice in another state, that person shall first obtain a license to practice in this State under chapter 460 prior to working in the State to fulfill the obligations of this subsection.

(b) A person subject to subsection (a) who does not comply with subsection (a) shall be fined no more than $ .

SECTION 5. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on January 1, 2009, and apply to any person who graduates from the University of Hawaii John A. Burns school of medicine after that date.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2590
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII