SB253 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Andrew JonesSenator

Republican

Co-Sponsor

Jim McClendon

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Optometric Scholarship Awards Board, meetings conducted remotely, scholarship program expanded to include loans and revise program parameters, Secs. 34-22-60 to 34-22-65, inclusive, am'd.

Summary

SB253 expands Alabama's optometric scholarship program to include loans, creates a service-based loan repayment program for underserved areas, allows remote board meetings, and mandates ongoing shortage indexing and stronger loan-breach remedies.

What This Bill Does

The bill allows the Board of Optometric Scholarship Awards to conduct meetings remotely and expands funding options to include loans through the Alabama Optometric Service Program. Borrowers may repay loans after graduation either in cash with interest or by serving in designated underserved areas for set terms, with potential partial forgiveness for certain service arrangements. It requires periodic calculation of an Optometric Shortage Index, sets up mechanisms to collect and use loan repayments, and strengthens penalties and license actions for loan breaches (with exceptions for death or disability).

Who It Affects

• Aspiring and current Alabama optometry students (and their families) who could qualify for scholarships or loans, with priority given to students attending the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry.
• Residents of underserved areas in Alabama who would gain access to more optometrists and eye-care services as loan repayment is tied to service in those areas and localities designated as needing optometrists.

Key Provisions

• Allows the Board of Optometric Scholarship Awards to conduct meetings remotely.
• Expands the scholarship program to include loans and creates the Alabama Optometric Service Program to repay loans through approved service in underserved areas.
• Sets loan and scholarship caps: loans and merit scholarships may be up to 25% of the student body at UAB's School of Optometry, with loan amounts not exceeding 30% of current tuition; merit scholarships up to the current tuition cost; priority for UAB students.
• Establishes the Alabama Optometric Service Program loans, which may cover the four-year cost of attendance for eligible students in optometry programs.
• Repayment options include (a) cash repayment after graduation with terms set by the board, and (b) service-based repayment in specified areas of need with defined durations and potential credits (including Medicaid-related credits) for certain service arrangements.
• Areas of need and service requirements include multiple time-based targets in communities by population size, plus part-time service options with partial loan forgiveness (up to 50%). A participant may be allowed to change the service area under certain conditions.
• Localities with populations under 100,000 can apply to be designated as needing optometrists, and recipients may choose to practice in these areas to repay loans.
• Breach of loan repayment contracts can lead to penalties, including 100% of the remaining loan balance and possible revocation of optometry license; death or total disability can excuse repayment; the Attorney General can pursue recovery; recovered funds stay with the board to fund future awards and loans.
• The board must annually report on scholarships, loans, and program performance to key state leaders and work with the Alabama Commission on the Evaluation of Services to collect required data.
• The act amends Sections 34-22-60 through 34-22-65 of the Code to implement these changes.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Optometric Scholarship Awards, Board of