It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Sections 23-14.1-4 and 23-14.1-9 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-14.1 entitled "Health Professional Loan Repayment Program" are hereby amended to read as follows:

{ADD 23-14.1-4. Health professional loan repayment board. -- ADD} There is hereby created the health professional loan repayment board, which shall consist of {DEL nine (9) DEL} {ADD eleven (11) ADD} members and be constituted as follows: one (1) health care consumer, to be appointed by the governor; one (1) member of the Rhode Island Medical Society appointed by its president; the Director of the Rhode Island Health Center Association; one (1) additional representative of the Rhode Island Health Center Association or his/her designee, and appointed by its president; one (1) member of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker; one (1) member of the senate appointed by the majority leader; the Dean of the Brown University Medical School, or his/her designee; the Dean of the College of Nursing at the University of Rhode Island or his/her designee; {ADD the Executive Director of the Hospital Association of Rhode Island or his or her designee; the Executive Director of the Rhode Island Higher Education Assistance Authority, or his or her designee; ADD} and the Director of Health, or his or her designee. All members shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority and shall receive no compensation for their services.

The Director of Health shall serve as chairperson. All meetings, shall be called by the chairperson.

{ADD 23-14.1-9. Penalty for failure to complete contract. -- ADD} If the recipient of a loan repayment fails, without justifiable cause, to practice pursuant to the terms and conditions of his/her contract with the authority, a penalty for the failure to complete the contract will be imposed. {DEL Failure to complete the contract without justifiable cause will constitute unprofessional conduct. DEL} {ADD If the recipient fails to complete the period of obligated service, he or she shall be liable to the State of Rhode Island for (a) an amount equal to the total paid on behalf of the recipient and (b) an unserved obligation penalty equal to the number of months of obligated service that were not completed by the recipient multiplied by one thousand dollars ($1,000).If the recipient fails to complete one (1) year of service, he or she shall be liable to the State of Rhode Island for (a) an amount equal to the total paid on behalf of the recipient and (b) an unserved obligation penalty equal to the number of months in the full period multiplied by one thousand dollars ($1,000). Any amount owed shall be paid to the State of Rhode Island within one (1) year of the date that the recipient is in breach of contract. ADD} Where the director, subject to the approval of the board, determines that there exists justifiable cause for the failure of a recipient to practice pursuant to the terms and conditions of the contract, he or she may relieve the recipient of the obligation to fulfill any or all of the terms of the contract.

SECTION 2. {ADD Severability of provisions. -- ADD} The provisions of this chapter are severable. If any of its provisions shall be held unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, the decision of the court shall not affect or impair any of the remaining provisions.

SECTION 3. This act will take effect upon passage.