SB253 Alabama 2022 Session

Under existing law, the Board of Optometric Scholarship Awards establishes scholarships to provide for and further optometric training in pursuit of an optometric degree

This bill would allow the board to conduct meetings remotely

This bill would expand the scholarship program to include loans and would establish the Alabama Optometric Service Program, allowing for repayment of loans through approved service in underserved areas of the state

This bill would require the board to periodically calculate and report the Optometric Shortage Index

This bill would also facilitate repayment of loans and expand remedies in the event of a breach of loan repayment obligations

Relating to the Board of Optometric Scholarship Awards; to amend Sections 34-22-60, 34-22-61, 34-22-62, 34-22-63, 34-22-64, and 34-22-65, Code of Alabama 1975; to allow the board to conduct meetings remotely; to expand the scholarship program to include loans to further optometric training and to incentivize students to serve in underserved areas of the state; to require the board to periodically calculate and report the Optometric Shortage Index; to require the board to establish and operate the Alabama Optometric Service Program; to facilitate the repayment of loans issued pursuant to this section; to expand remedies in the event of a breach of loan repayment obligations; and to provide for repayment of loans through approved service.