Section 37-153-59 - Mississippi Health Sciences Training Infrastructure Grant Program established; definitions; application; repayment of certain grant funds(1) There is established the Mississippi Health Sciences Training Infrastructure Grant Program, the purpose of which is to provide a reimbursable grant for primary care health sciences training infrastructure at any osteopathic medical school in Mississippi that is accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). This program shall be subject to the availability of funds appropriated by the Legislature using Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds made available under ARPA or any other funds appropriated by the Legislature.(2) As used in this section, the following words have the meanings ascribed unless the context requires otherwise: (a) "Applicant" means any osteopathic medical school in Mississippi that is accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).(b) "Health sciences training infrastructure" means any infrastructure that is eligible under ARPA that assists with the training of health sciences students to increase their interest and encourage their pursuit of careers in primary care.(3) On or before July 1, 2022, the office shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to administer the Mississippi Health Sciences Training Infrastructure Grant Program prescribed under this section, including application procedures and deadlines. The Department of Finance and Administration, Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management, is authorized and directed to advise the office regarding all such rules and regulations.(4) The office shall receive applications submitted by the applicants, which shall include, but not be limited to, the following: (a) A detailed description and the cost of the health sciences training infrastructure requested;(b) The number of students currently trained at the applicant's school that pursue graduate medical education in primary care;(c) A certification that the health sciences training infrastructure meets the guidelines of ARPA and its implementing guidelines, guidance, rules, regulations and other criteria, as may be amended or supplemented from time to time, by the United States Department of the Treasury; and all applicable guidance issued by the department; and(d) Any additional requirements set by the office.(5) Applications shall be reviewed and scored by the office. The office shall certify that each application submitted is an allowable expense as defined in ARPA and all applicable guidance issued by the department. The Department of Finance and Administration, Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management, is authorized and directed to advise the office as to the estimated cost and eligibility of the projects. The office shall award the grants to the applicants based on what projects the office determines has the most significant impact on increasing student access to primary care training opportunities. A grant agreement shall be executed between the applicant and the office. All final awards will be determined at the discretion of the executive director of the office. Funds shall be made available to an applicant upon the execution of a grant agreement between the office and the approved applicants. The office shall provide these funds to the applicants on a reimbursable basis after receiving support for expenses and determining that they meet the grant award criteria.(6) The applicant may be required to repay the State of Mississippi for any grant funds awarded not consistent with the guidelines of ARPA and its implementing guidelines, guidance, rules, regulations and other criteria, as may be amended or supplemented from time to time, by the United States Department of the Treasury, and all applicable guidance issued by the office.Added by Laws, 2022, ch. 488, HB 1006,§ 5, eff. 7/1/2022.