Bill No.: HB0103                  Drafter:  LGC

LSO No.:  11LSO-0430              Effective Date:  3/3/2011

Enrolled Act No.:  HEA0095

Chapter No.:       181

Prime Sponsor:     Representative McKim

Catch Title:       WICHE-repayment program.

Subject:       Requiring repayment of costs of certain WICHE

              students.

Summary/Major Elements:

● Under current law, the state of Wyoming is a partner state in the Western Regional Higher Education Compact.  Under the compact, a limited number of students from Wyoming may attend universities in other states paying only the in-state tuition.  The state of Wyoming pays the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition for the student.

● This act would require participating students in dentistry, medicine, podiatry, occupational therapy, physical therapy, optometry, physician assistant programs and osteopathic medicine to enter an agreement to:

● Actively engage in full-time professional practice (or medical residency program) for not less than three years in Wyoming after graduation; or

● Repay all amounts expended by the state on the student's education through the WICHE program.

● This act provides for waiver of the repayment obligation in whole or in part if repayment would cause undue hardship.

● Amounts collected under this act are credited to a WICHE program repayment account to be expended upon appropriation by the legislature.

● This act specifically does not apply to veterinary medicine students.