| (a) A rural community sponsor is:
(1) a community or political subdivision or group of
such entities located in a rural county; or
(2) a non-profit entity governed by council members,
commissioners, or a board of trustees that:
(A) is responsible to and serves a community located
in a rural county; and
(B) is legally authorized to raise funds or accept
grants or financial gifts.
(b) To qualify to participate in the program, the rural
community sponsor must:
(1) notify the executive director of the commission
in writing of its desire to participate in the program;
(2) agree to provide an amount of not less than the
tuition and fees required for a full academic year for a student enrolled
in a school of veterinary medicine in exchange for the eligible participant's
agreement to practice veterinary medicine in the sponsor's rural county
for one year;
(3) have selected a participant who is eligible to
participate under the program; and
(4) provide information requested by the commission
to determine the rural community sponsor's eligibility under the program.
(c) The agreement between the rural community sponsor
and the selected participant must include, but is not limited to,
the following provisions:
(1) the rural community sponsor will provide financial
support to the participant in an amount not less than the tuition
and fees required for a full academic year of study for a student
enrolled in a school of veterinary medicine in exchange for the participant
practicing veterinary medicine in the rural community for one calendar
year; and
(2) the participant sets their charges at the prevailing
rate for the area.
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