HB 1216

Bill Subjects

Commissions Or Councils, Existing Agencies Health, Health Care Professionals Higher Education, Colleges And Universities Licenses And Licensing Nurses And Nursing Public Funds

Abstract

Establishes the linking industry to nursing education fund (fund) for the purpose of expanding nursing education opportunities. Defines terms and provides administrative provisions for the fund. Requires the commission for higher education (commission), before August 1, 2023, to develop an application for a competitive grant program that matches contributions from a health care entity to an educational institution on a dollar for dollar basis from the fund. Provides that the application may be submitted by any educational institution and must require the educational institution to include the expected number of additional students the educational institution will be able to accept into its nursing education program as a result of the matching program. Requires the commission to approve an application if sufficient funds are available and if the matching grant will be used by the educational institution for certain purposes. Provides that a partial grant may be awarded. Requires the commission to make an annual report of certain information to the legislative council. Provides that a matching grant may not be used for the construction of a new building or the renovation of an existing building. Requires the professional licensing agency to retain 80% of all fees collected from new and renewed board licenses and certificates unless a certain amount or percentage of the fee is designated for a specific fund. Requires the agency to use the amount retained to carry out the agency's purposes and to work toward the goal of issuing all new licenses and certificates within 30 days after a complete application is submitted. Appropriates from the state general fund to the commission for higher education $30,000,000 for the state fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023, and ending June 30, 2024, and $30,000,000 for the state fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024, and ending June 30, 2025, to be used for the fund.