HB413 Summary

• Renames the Board of Dental Scholarship Awards to the Board of Dental Scholarship and Loan Awards and authorizes the board to make loans in addition to scholarships for dental education.

• Establishes two types of awards: loans equal to 20 percent of University of Alabama School of Dentistry enrollment based on economic need and scholastic ability, and merit scholarships equal to 5 percent of enrollment.

• Creates the Alabama Dental Service Program allowing the board to award loans up to annual costs of attendance for participants who agree to work in areas of critical dental need (defined as having a Dental Shortage Index above 49 percent) for service repayment periods.

• Requires loan recipients to either repay in cash at 6 percent annual interest within eight years or through service in underserved communities, with varying service terms of 4-5 years depending on community size and need.

• Specifies breach of contract penalties ranging from 20-100 percent of principal loan amounts and authorizes the Attorney General to pursue collections and license revocation proceedings for non-compliance.