HB410 Summary

• Renames the Board of Optometric Scholarship Awards to the Board of Optometric Scholarship and Loan Awards and authorizes remote participation in board meetings via telephone, video conference, or similar equipment.

• Establishes the Alabama Optometric Service Program to issue loans up to four-year cost of attendance to students at accredited optometric schools, with priority given to University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry applicants.

• Requires the board to calculate and report an Optometric Shortage Index at least once every two years by county or geographic area, dividing population by number of practicing optometrists.

• Modifies loan repayment obligations to allow repayment through service in underserved areas identified by the Shortage Index, with reduced repayment periods for part-time service in the top 8 percent of shortage areas (minimum 6 years at 20 hours per week).

• Expands remedies for loan repayment defaults to allow the board to pursue all legal means available to collect outstanding balances and increases penalties for contract breaches to 100 percent of remaining principal.