Assembly Bill No. 378–Assemblymen Freeman, Leslie, de Braga, Cegavske, Anderson, Arberry, Bache, Beers, Berman, Buckley, Chowning, Dini, Giunchigliani, Goldwater, Hettrick, Humke, Manendo, Marvel, Mortenson, Parks, Perkins, Smith and Tiffany

 

March 15, 2001

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Joint Sponsors: Senators Rawson, Coffin and Mathews

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Referred to Concurrent Committees on Education
and Ways and Means

 

SUMMARY—Provides for establishment of program to promote profession of nursing. (BDR 34‑852)

 

FISCAL NOTE:            Effect on Local Government: No.

                                    Effect on the State: Contains Appropriation not included in Executive Budget.

 

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EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted.

 

AN ACT relating to education; requiring the department of education to establish a program to promote the profession of nursing in this state; creating an advisory committee to promote the profession of nursing; revising provisions governing the eligibility of certain students for millennium scholarships; making an appropriation; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN

SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

 

1-1    Section 1. Chapter 385 of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto

1-2  the provisions set forth as sections 2 and 3 of this act.

1-3    Sec. 2.  1.  The department shall, in consultation with the advisory

1-4  committee created pursuant to section 3 of this act, establish a program

1-5  to promote the profession of nursing in this state. The program must be

1-6  designed to encourage pupils and other residents of this state to enroll in

1-7  a nursing program of the University and Community College System of

1-8  Nevada and otherwise pursue a profession in nursing in this state. The

1-9  program must include, without limitation:

1-10    (a) Publication of information regarding the availability of

1-11  millennium scholarships pursuant to NRS 396.911 to 396.938, inclusive,

2-1  and loans for students who enroll in a nursing program of the University

2-2  and Community College System of Nevada pursuant to NRS 396.890 to

2-3  396.898, inclusive; and

2-4    (b) Methods to encourage pupils and other residents of this state to

2-5  enter into the profession of nursing, including, without limitation:

2-6       (1) The use of the print and electronic media to communicate to the

2-7  general public concerning the positive aspects of a profession in nursing,

2-8  the crucial role nurses play in ensuring the health and well-being of the

2-9  residents of this state and the critical need for nurses when a shortage of

2-10  nurses exists;

2-11      (2) The organization and presentation of workshops for school

2-12  counselors who provide college and career guidance in high schools

2-13  concerning the profession of nursing and the availability of millennium

2-14  scholarships pursuant to NRS 396.911 to 396.938, inclusive, and loans

2-15  for students who enroll in a nursing program of the University and

2-16  Community College System of Nevada pursuant to NRS 396.890 to

2-17  396.898, inclusive; and

2-18      (3) Outreach programs whereby persons who are currently

2-19  employed as nurses in this state visit the public schools to provide

2-20  guidance, encouragement and information to pupils concerning the

2-21  profession of nursing.

2-22    2.  The department shall, in consultation with the advisory committee

2-23  created pursuant to section 3 of this act:

2-24    (a) Carry out the program to promote the profession of nursing in this

2-25  state established pursuant to subsection 1; and

2-26    (b) Review the program on an annual basis and make any revisions

2-27  that are necessary to promote the profession of nursing in this state.

2-28    Sec. 3.  1.  There is hereby created an advisory committee to

2-29  promote the profession of nursing consisting of nine members. The

2-30  advisory committee consists of:

2-31    (a) Three persons appointed by the governor as follows:

2-32      (1) One member who represents the health care industry;

2-33      (2) One member who represents the University and Community

2-34  College System of Nevada; and

2-35      (3) One member of the general public. 

2-36    (b) Three persons appointed by the majority leader of the senate as

2-37  follows:

2-38      (1) One member who represents the health care industry;

2-39      (2) One member who represents the University and Community

2-40  College System of Nevada; and

2-41      (3) One member of the general public.

2-42    (c) Three persons appointed by the speaker of the assembly as follows:

2-43      (1) One member who represents the health care industry;

2-44      (2) One member who represents the public schools in this state; and

2-45      (3) One member of the general public.

2-46    2.  After the initial terms, each member of the advisory committee

2-47  serves a term of 3 years. A member of the advisory committee may not

2-48  serve for more than 3 consecutive terms. If a vacancy occurs on the

3-1  advisory committee, the vacancy must be filled in the same manner as the

3-2  original appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term. 

3-3    3.  The advisory committee shall:

3-4    (a) Work in consultation with the department to establish a program

3-5  to promote the profession of nursing in this state pursuant to section 2 of

3-6  this act;

3-7    (b) Review the program in consultation with the department and make

3-8  recommendations for its revision, if necessary, to promote the profession

3-9  of nursing; and

3-10    (c) Otherwise provide recommendations to the department concerning

3-11  effective methods to conduct a public relations campaign to make

3-12  nursing a desirable profession.

3-13    4.  Members of the advisory committee serve without compensation

3-14  except that for each day or portion of a day during which a member of

3-15  the advisory committee attends a meeting of the committee or is otherwise

3-16  engaged in the business of the committee, he is entitled to receive the per

3-17  diem allowance and travel expenses provided for state officers and

3-18  employees generally.

3-19    Sec. 4.  NRS 396.890 is hereby amended to read as follows:

3-20    396.890  1.  The board of regents may administer, directly or through

3-21  a designated officer or employee of the system, a program to provide loans

3-22  for fees, books and living expenses to students in the nursing programs of

3-23  the system.

3-24    2.  Each student to whom a loan is made must:

3-25    (a) Have been a “bona fide resident” of Nevada, as that term is defined

3-26  in NRS 396.540, for at least 6 months before his matriculation in the

3-27  system;

3-28    (b) Be enrolled at the time the loan is made in a nursing program of the

3-29  system for the purpose of becoming a licensed practical nurse or registered

3-30  nurse;

3-31    (c) Fulfill all requirements for classification as a full-time student

3-32  showing progression towards completion of the program; and

3-33    (d) Maintain at least a [2.00] 2.0 grade-point average in each class and

3-34  at least a 2.75 overall grade-point average, on a 4.0 grading scale.

3-35    3.  A student’s receipt of a millennium scholarship pursuant to NRS

3-36  396.911 to 396.938, inclusive, does not affect his eligibility to receive a

3-37  loan pursuant to this section.

3-38    4.  Each loan must be made upon the following terms:

3-39    (a) All loans must bear interest at 8 percent per annum from the date

3-40  when the student receives the loan.

3-41    (b) Each student receiving a loan must repay the loan with interest

3-42  following the termination of his education for which the loan is made. The

3-43  loan must be repaid in monthly installments over the period allowed with

3-44  the first installment due 1 year after the date of the termination of his

3-45  education for which the loan is made. The amounts of the installments

3-46  must not be less than $50 and may be calculated to allow a smaller

3-47  payment at the beginning of the period of repayment, with each succeeding

3-48  payment gradually increasing so that the total amount due will have been

4-1  paid within the period for repayment. The period for repayment of the

4-2  loans must be:

4-3       (1) Five years for loans which total less than $10,000.

4-4       (2) Eight years for loans which total $10,000 or more, but less than

4-5  $20,000.

4-6       (3) Ten years for loans which total $20,000 or more.

4-7    [4.] 5.  A delinquency charge may be assessed on any installment

4-8  delinquent 10 days or more in the amount of 8 percent of the installment or

4-9  $4, whichever is greater, but not more than $15.

4-10    [5.] 6.  The reasonable costs of collection and an attorney’s fee may be

4-11  recovered in the event of delinquency.

4-12    Sec. 5.  NRS 396.930 is hereby amended to read as follows:

4-13    396.930  1.  Except as otherwise provided in [subsections 2 and 3,]

4-14  this section, a student may apply to the board of regents for a millennium

4-15  scholarship if he:

4-16    (a) Has been a resident of this state for at least 2 years before he applies

4-17  for the scholarship;

4-18    (b) Graduated from a public or private high school in this state:

4-19      (1) After May 1, 2000; and

4-20      (2) Not more than 8 years before he applies for the scholarship;

4-21    (c) Maintained at least a 3.0 grade-point average on a 4.0 grading scale

4-22  in high school in the core curriculum, as determined by the board of

4-23  regents pursuant to subsection 2; and

4-24    (d) Is enrolled in at least 12 semester credit hours in a university or at

4-25  least 6 semester credit hours in a community college.

4-26    2.  The board of regents shall:

4-27    (a) Define the core curriculum that a student must complete in high

4-28  school to be eligible for a millennium scholarship.

4-29    (b) Develop a plan to ensure that needy students and students from

4-30  families that otherwise could not afford to send their children to college

4-31  receive millennium scholarships.

4-32    3.  For students who did not graduate from a public or private high

4-33  school in this state and who have been residents of this state for at least 2

4-34  years, the board of regents shall establish:

4-35    (a) The minimum score on a standardized test that such students must

4-36  receive; or

4-37    (b) Other criteria that students must meet,

4-38  to be eligible for millennium scholarships.

4-39    4.  A student may apply for a millennium scholarship if he graduated

4-40  from a public or private high school in this state after May 1, 1985, but

4-41  before May 1, 2000, if he is enrolled in a program of nursing of the

4-42  system and he otherwise satisfies the criteria for eligibility. If such a

4-43  student cannot provide proof that he completed the core curriculum

4-44  defined by the board of regents pursuant to subsection 2 solely because

4-45  that curriculum was not offered at the time that the student graduated

4-46  from high school, the board of regents shall waive the requirement for

4-47  that student.

4-48    5.  In awarding scholarships, the board of regents shall enhance its

4-49  outreach to students who:

5-1    (a) Are pursuing a career in education or health care;

5-2    (b) Come from families who lack sufficient financial resources to pay

5-3  for the costs of sending their children to a university or community college;

5-4  or

5-5    (c) Substantially participated in an anti-smoking, anti-drug or anti-

5-6  alcohol program during high school.

5-7    Sec. 6.  1.  There is hereby appropriated from the trust fund for public

5-8  health created pursuant to NRS 439.605 to the department of education the

5-9  sum of $250,000 for the program to promote the profession of nursing in

5-10  this state and the advisory committee to promote the profession of nursing.

5-11    2.  The department of education shall use the money appropriated by

5-12  subsection 1 to:

5-13    (a) Carry out the program to promote the profession of nursing in this

5-14  state established pursuant to section 2 of this act; and

5-15    (b) Pay for the per diem allowances and travel expenses of the members

5-16  of the advisory committee to promote the profession of nursing pursuant to

5-17  section 3 of this act.

5-18    3.  Any remaining balance of the sum appropriated by subsection 1

5-19  must not be committed for expenditure after June 30, 2003, and reverts to

5-20  the trust fund for public health as soon as all payments of money

5-21  committed have been made.

5-22    Sec. 7.  1.  There is hereby appropriated from the trust fund for public

5-23  health created pursuant to NRS 439.605 to the board of regents of the

5-24  University of Nevada the sum of $250,000 for the financial support of the

5-25  program to provide loans to nursing students pursuant to NRS 396.890 to

5-26  396.898, inclusive.

5-27    2.  The board of regents shall use the money appropriated by subsection

5-28  1 to provide loans for fees, books and living expenses pursuant to NRS

5-29  396.890 to 396.898, inclusive, to students who are enrolled in nursing

5-30  programs of the University and Community College System of Nevada.

5-31    3.  Any remaining balance of the sum appropriated by subsection 1

5-32  must not be committed for expenditure after June 30, 2003, and reverts to

5-33  the trust fund for public health as soon as all payments of money

5-34  committed have been made.

5-35    Sec. 8.  Before the beginning of the school year 2001-2002, the board

5-36  of regents of the University of Nevada shall take such action as is

5-37  necessary to double the capacity of the programs of nursing of the

5-38  University and Community College System to enroll students in programs

5-39  of nursing from its capacity in school year 2000-2001. The system shall

5-40  cooperate in the statewide effort to double the number of qualified nurses

5-41  in this state.

5-42    Sec. 9.  On or before September 1, 2001:

5-43    1.  The governor shall appoint:

5-44    (a) One member to the advisory committee to promote the profession of

5-45  nursing pursuant to paragraph (a) of subsection 1 of section 3 of this act, to

5-46  a term expiring on September 1, 2003.

5-47    (b) Two members to the advisory committee to promote the profession

5-48  of nursing pursuant to paragraph (a) of subsection 1 of section 3 of this act

5-49  to terms expiring on September 1, 2004.

6-1    2.  The majority leader of the senate shall appoint:

6-2    (a) One member to the advisory committee to promote the profession of

6-3  nursing pursuant to paragraph (b) of subsection 1 of section 3 of this act, to

6-4  a term expiring on September 1, 2003.

6-5    (b) Two members to the advisory committee to promote the profession

6-6  of nursing pursuant to paragraph (b) of subsection 1 of section 3 of this act,

6-7  to terms expiring on September 1, 2004.

6-8    3.  The speaker of the assembly shall appoint:

6-9    (a) One member to the advisory committee to promote the profession of

6-10  nursing pursuant to paragraph (c) of subsection 1 of section 3 of this act, to

6-11  a term expiring on September 1, 2003.

6-12    (b) Two members to the advisory committee to promote the profession

6-13  of nursing pursuant to paragraph (c) of subsection 1 of section 3 of this act,

6-14  to terms expiring on September 1, 2004.

6-15    Sec. 10.  1.  On or before February 1, 2002, the department of

6-16  education shall submit to the legislative committee on health care created

6-17  pursuant to NRS 439B.200 a written summary of the progress of the

6-18  department in establishing a program to promote the profession of nursing

6-19  in this state pursuant to section 2 of this act.

6-20    2.  On or before July 1, 2002, the department of education shall submit

6-21  to the legislative committee on health care a written summary of the

6-22  program to promote the profession of nursing in this state established

6-23  pursuant to section 2 of this act.

6-24    Sec. 11.  This act becomes effective on July 1, 2001.

 

6-25  H