§ 6-81-714 - Dispute resolution -- Determination of breach.
6-81-714. Dispute resolution -- Determination of breach.
(a) Any applicant for a loan or income incentive issued by the Arkansas Rural Medical Practice Student Loan and Scholarship Board, any person who has been granted a loan or has been granted income incentives by the board, or any party to a rural medical practice or community match loan or income incentive may appeal any decision or action by the board relating to the application for a loan or income incentive or relating to a loan or income incentive granted by the board under the dispute resolution procedure established under this subchapter.
(b) (1) The board, under 6-81-702(b)(1), shall promulgate rules establishing a procedure that may be used by a loan or income incentive recipient, the board, or a qualified rural community to resolve any dispute arising out of or relating to a rural practice or community match loan or income incentive contract, including the validity or interpretation of a contract term, contract enforcement or defenses, the occurrence of an event of default or breach, loan repayment, the assessment or imposition of contract damages or civil money penalties, or other related disputes.
(2) The rules may provide for alternative dispute resolution, such as mediation, as appropriate.
(3) The dispute resolution procedure established by the board shall be followed before the initiation of any litigation related to a rural practice or community match loan or income incentive contract.
(c) Nothing in this subchapter shall prohibit informal disposition by stipulation, settlement, or consent.