Learning Contract Legislation

Chapter 363A, item 7411-1005 of the Acts of 1977

For the personal services and expenses of the medical school, including not more than three hundred and sixty-nine permanent positions; provided, not withstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the University of Massachusetts board of trustees shall institute learning contracts for students admitted for the Fall of nineteen hundred and seventy-eight which include provisions for "payback" service or monetary payback to the commonwealth for a period after said students have fulfilled all internship and residency requirements.

Chapter 150, section 151 of the Acts of 1990

Section 151: The board of trustees of the University of Massachusetts, in conjunction with the state health education center at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, shall develop and implement provisions for payback in learning contracts entered into by students admitted for the academic year commencing in nineteen hundred and ninety-one and for every year thereafter, which shall require payback service, so-called, of at least two years within the commonwealth in areas of primary care; public or community service; or underserved areas, as determined by the dean of the University of Massachusetts Medical School and the learning contract committee, in coordination with the area health education center and state and regional health planning agencies. In the case of any student who has entered into a learning contract and who does not perform payback service, the difference between the tuition actually paid and the amount of the tuition which would have been otherwise charged shall be required to be repaid together with eight percent interest per annum; provided, however, that no payback service or tuition loan repayment shall be required prior to the termination of any internship and residency requirements; provided, further that interest shall begin to accrue upon completion of any internship requirement. Learning contracts shall be outlined in a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means within sixty days of the effective date of this act.

Chapter 60, section 265 of the Acts of 1994

Section 265: The board of trustees of the University of Massachusetts, in conjunction with the state health education center at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, shall develop and implement provisions for payback in learning contracts entered into by students admitted for the academic year commencing in nineteen hundred and ninety five and for every year thereafter, which shall require payback service, so-called, of at least four years within the commonwealth in areas of primary care, public or community service, or underserved areas, as determined by the commissioner of the department of public health and the learning contract committee, in coordination with the area health education center and state and regional health planning agencies. In the case of any student who has entered into a learning contract and who does not perform payback service, the difference between the tuition actually paid and the amount of the tuition which would have been otherwise charged shall be required to be repaid together with eight percent interest per annum; provided, however, that no payback service or tuition loan repayment shall be required prior to the termination of any internship and residency requirements; provided, further, that interest shall begin to accrue upon completion of any internship requirements. The dean shall provide, on an annual basis, a report outlining the number of students participating in said learning contracts, the area of medicine within which payback shall be performed, and the number of students utilizing the repayment option. The report will further outline the effects of payback in the underserved areas of the commonwealth. Said report shall be submitted to the house and senate committees on ways and means by September first, nineteen hundred and ninety-four.