What does Preamble of Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act do?

This bill, formally titled 'To provide incentives to physicians to practice in rural and medically underserved communities, and for other purposes,' aims to incentivize physicians to practice in rural and medically underserved communities. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on February 25, 2025.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act do?

This bill is formally titled the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act.

What does CONRAD STATE 30 PROGRAM. of Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act do?

This section amends Section 220(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Technical Corrections Act of 1994. The amendment changes the expiration date from September 30, 2015, to three years after the enactment of the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act. The amendment made by subsection (a) is to take effect as if enacted on September 30, 2018.

What does RETAINING PHYSICIANS WHO HAVE PRACTICED IN MEDICALLY of Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act do?

This section amends Section 201(b)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. It adds a new subsection (F) to address alien physicians who have completed service requirements for a waiver under section 203(b)(2)(B)(ii). This includes physicians who completed service before the enactment of the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Act, as well as their spouses and children. The amendment clarifies that filing petitions or applications for classification or adjustment of status is not prevented before the completion of service under section 214(l) or five years of full-time work. It also specifies that the Secretary of Homeland Security cannot grant petitions or applications until all waiver requirements under section 214(l) are satisfied.

What does EMPLOYMENT PROTECTIONS FOR PHYSICIANS. of Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act do?

This section amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to modify the foreign residency requirement for physicians. It changes the authority for waiver decisions from the Attorney General to the Secretary of Homeland Security and modifies roles of the Director of the United States Information Agency and the Secretary of State. The requirements for physicians seeking waivers are clarified, including demonstrating a job offer in a designated shortage area and agreeing to work for a minimum of three years. Physicians maintaining nonimmigrant status may have their status changed to any employment-authorized status with the numerical limitations not applying. State agencies can extend a physician's nonimmigrant status for up to six months if they deny a waiver due to reaching the maximum number, provided the physician seeks a new waiver to work in a different state with unmet needs. Employment agreements with health facilities must specify on-call hours, malpractice insurance details, work locations, and prohibit non-compete clauses. If a physician terminates employment during the required three-year service period, they may be considered to be maintaining lawful status for a limited time. States may be awarded additional waivers if a physician leaves employment and accepts a new position in another state. The three-year work requirement may be waived under certain extenuating circumstances, such as employer violations, and if the physician secures another job offer in a shortage area.

What does ALLOTMENT OF CONRAD 30 WAIVERS. of Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act do?

This section amends Section 214(l) of the Immigration and Nationality Act regarding Conrad 30 waivers. States are initially allotted 35 waivers if 90% of available waivers were used in the previous fiscal year. States may receive an additional 5 waivers each subsequent year if the 90% usage threshold is met. If a state receives 45 or more waivers, the additional 5 waiver increase is contingent on 95% usage in the prior year. Waiver allotments are maintained indefinitely unless waiver grants decrease by 5% from the previous year, triggering a 5-waiver reduction for all states. Further reductions of 5 waivers occur for each additional 5% decrease in waiver grants. The total number of waivers allotted cannot drop below 30. Section 214(l)(1)(D) is amended to allow state agencies to approve waivers for aliens practicing medicine or on the faculty of an academic medical center, regardless of healthcare professional shortage designations. To qualify, the state agency head must determine the alien's work is in the public interest and that the waiver grant will not exceed 3 waivers for the state.

What does AMENDMENTS TO THE PROCEDURES, DEFINITIONS, AND OTHER PROVISIONS of Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act do?

This section amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to clarify dual intent for physicians seeking graduate medical training, allowing them to pursue such training even if they intend to immigrate. It modifies requirements for physician national interest waivers, specifying that physicians must agree to work in areas with healthcare professional shortages or at facilities serving patients in such areas. The five-year service requirement for national interest waivers is adjusted, allowing service to begin before an immigrant visa petition is filed or approved and aggregating service regardless of when it began or if it occurred during graduate medical education. The section clarifies that foreign medical degrees accepted by accredited U.S. residency programs qualify as advanced degrees for immigration purposes. It provides short-term work authorization extensions for physicians completing residency training, automatically extending their nonimmigrant status and employment authorization under certain conditions. Spouses and children of J-1 exchange visitors are exempted from certain requirements under section 212(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

What does ANNUAL CONRAD STATE 30 J-1 VISA WAIVER PROGRAM STATISTICAL of Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act do?

This section mandates an annual statistical report regarding the Conrad State 30 J-1 Visa Waiver Program. The report must be submitted to Congress and the Department of Health and Human Services. The report will identify the number of aliens admitted under the program during the most recent fiscal year. The data will be disaggregated by State.

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Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act

Last updated: 2/25/2025 · Introduced: 2/25/2025

Author: David Valadao (R-CA)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill extends the Conrad State 30 program, which allows states to sponsor visas for foreign physicians to practice in underserved areas, by three years after its enactment.
The bill facilitates the permanent residency process for foreign physicians who have already fulfilled their required service obligations in underserved communities.
It modifies the waiver process for physicians seeking to work in shortage areas, shifting authority to the Secretary of Homeland Security and clarifying requirements related to job offers and service commitments.
States can receive additional Conrad 30 waivers based on their prior usage rates, with a system of increases and potential reductions tied to annual performance.
The bill clarifies immigration rules for physicians pursuing graduate medical training and allows for extensions of work authorization for those completing residency programs.

119th Congressin committeeS. 709(In Committee)Official page

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