(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2) “Eligible institution” means an institution of postsecondary education that:
(i) Is approved to operate by the Maryland Higher Education Commission; and
(ii) Produces graduates eligible to take the appropriate national examination for licensure, certification, or registration in the relevant health occupation determined to be in short supply.
(3) “Grant” means the Health Personnel Shortage Incentive Grant for eligible institutions offering educational programs leading to licensure, certification, or registration in health occupations determined to be in short supply.
(4) “Health occupation” means a:
(i) Physical therapist or a physical therapist assistant who has at least an Associate degree in physical therapy;
(ii) Occupational therapist or an occupational therapist assistant who has at least an Associate degree in occupational therapy;
(iii) Radiographer;
(iv) Respiratory therapist;
(v) Laboratory technician;
(vi) Medical technologist;
(vii) Pharmacist;
(viii) Registered nurse or licensed practical nurse; or
(ix) Physician who engages in family practice or pediatrics.
(b) (1) There is a Health Personnel Shortage Incentive Grant Program for eligible institutions.
(2) The Office of Student Financial Assistance shall administer the Grant Program as provided in this section.
(3) In consultation with the Secretary of Health, the Office shall adopt regulations to implement the Grant Program.
(c) An eligible institution is qualified to receive a grant under this section if the institution:
(1) Has an approved education program leading to licensure, certification, or registration in a health occupation determined to be in short supply; and
(2) Funds the approved education program at an amount not less than the preceding fiscal year.
(d) (1) Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, an eligible institution shall receive a grant in the amount of $1,500 for each student who graduates from an approved education program leading to licensure, certification, or registration in a health occupation determined to be in short supply, that is in excess of the lowest number of students who graduated from the approved education program at that eligible institution commencing in the academic year 1990–91.
(2) For purposes of paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Commission shall establish, in consultation with each appropriate eligible institution, that institution’s threshold number of students.
(e) (1) If the total amount of the grant to be issued under subsection (d) of this section is more than the amount appropriated in the annual State budget, the amount of an eligible institution’s grant for that period shall be equal to the product of the amount required to pay grants under subsection (d) of this section multiplied by the ratio of the total amount appropriated to the eligible institution.
(2) Any unspent portions of the money that is transferred to the Office for use under this section by the Comptroller may not be transferred to or revert to the General Fund of the State, but shall remain in the Fund maintained by the Office to administer these programs to be used for the purposes specified in this section.
(f) The eligible institution shall use the grant to enhance or expand approved education programs leading to licensure or certification in health occupations determined to be in short supply.
(g) (1) In accordance with § 1–204 of the Health Occupations Article, the Secretary of Health shall certify annually to the Maryland Higher Education Commission those health occupations in short supply.
(2) In any year in which a health occupation is determined by the Secretary of Health to be no longer in short supply, the Office shall discontinue issuing new grants under this section for that health occupation, provided that the existing grants shall continue for the students who are enrolled in prior to and who subsequently graduate from the approved education program after the determination is made by the Secretary.