SB 258

This bill establishes a rural pharmacy practice grant program administered by

the Higher Educational Aids Board to encourage pharmacists to engage in the

practice of pharmacy in medically underserved areas in this state. To be eligible for

the program, a pharmacist must engage in the practice of pharmacy in a medically

underserved area in this state and commit to do so for at least three years after

graduation from a school of pharmacy. For purposes of the bill, a “medically

underserved area" is an area designated as such by the secretary of the federal

Department of Health and Human Services. Under the program, an eligible

pharmacist may be provided up to $30,000 per year in financial assistance for up to

three years. However, HEAB may provide financial assistance to no more than 10

pharmacists per year. A student enrolled in a school of pharmacy may apply to the

program prior to becoming a licensed pharmacist. Financial assistance to a

pharmacist participating in the program is provided after the pharmacist's year of

pharmacy practice in a medically underserved area in this state.

Under the bill, any amount of financial assistance that a pharmacist receives

under the program is exempt from taxation.

Because this bill relates to an exemption from state or local taxes, it may be

referred to the Joint Survey Committee on Tax Exemptions for a report to be printed

as an appendix to the bill.