(a) Health care practitioners and community health workers that practice in a Health Equity Resource Community may receive loan repayment assistance, as provided for in the application for designation for the Health Equity Resource Community and approved by the Commission under this subtitle.

(b) (1) A health care practitioner or community health worker may apply to the Commission for a grant to defray the costs of capital or leasehold improvements to, or medical or dental equipment to be used in, a Health Equity Resource Community.

(2) To qualify for a grant under paragraph (1) of this subsection, a health care practitioner or a community health worker shall:

(i) Own or lease the health care facility; and

(ii) Provide health care from that facility.

(3) (i) A grant to defray the cost of medical or dental equipment may not exceed the lesser of $25,000 or 50% of the cost of the equipment.

(ii) Grants for capital or leasehold improvements shall be for the purposes of improving or expanding the delivery of health care in the Health Equity Resource Community.

(c) (1) A nonprofit community-based organization, a nonprofit hospital, an institution of higher education, a federally qualified health center, or a local government agency that receives approval of an application submitted under § 20-1403 of this subtitle may submit an application, on its own behalf, to receive grants for capital or leasehold improvements, as determined by the Commission, for the purposes described under subsection (b)(3)(ii) of this section.

(2) Subject to § 20-1408(a)(2) of this subtitle, the term of any grant awarded to a nonprofit community-based organization, a nonprofit hospital, an institution of higher education, a federally qualified health center, or a local government agency for capital or leasehold improvements shall have a term of 5 years, and may be renewed in accordance with an application approved by the Commission.