76-386. Postponement and satisfaction of service obligation, when. (a) An obligation to engage in the practice of medicine and surgery in accordance with an agreement under this act shall be postponed during any period of time for: (1) Required active military service of the person obligated or such person's spouse; (2) service as a part of volunteers in service to America (VISTA); (3) service in the peace corps; (4) service commitment to the United States public health service; (5) religious missionary work conducted by an organization exempt from tax under subsection (c) of section 501 of the federal internal revenue code of 1986; (6) temporary medical disability during which the person obligated is unable because of such medical disability to practice medicine and surgery; or (7) not more than one year during which the person participates in a healthcare-related fellowship program.

(b) Except for subsection (a)(6), an obligation to engage in the practice of medicine and surgery in accordance with an agreement under this act shall not be postponed more than five years from the time the practice of medicine and surgery was to have been commenced under any such agreement. An obligation to engage in the practice of medicine and surgery in accordance with an agreement under this act shall be postponed under subsection (a)(6) during the period of time the medical disability exists.

(c) An obligation to engage in the practice of medicine and surgery in accordance with an agreement under this act shall be satisfied: (1) If the obligation to engage in the practice of medicine and surgery in accordance with an agreement under this act has been completed; (2) if the person obligated dies; or (3) if, because of permanent physical disability, the person obligated is unable to practice medicine and surgery.

History: L. 1992, ch. 243, § 7; L. 2023, ch. 95, § 10; July 1.