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SB 274 — Nursing Education Pathway for Military Combat Medics
by Senators Avila, Burgess, Osgood, and Perry
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Education Postsecondary Committee (HE)
The bill creates the “Pathway for Military Combat Medics Act,” which expands the award of postsecondary credit for military training and education courses to promote uniformity in the application of military combat medic training and education toward postsecondary credit (credit) or career education clock hours (clock hours) by public postsecondary educational institutions.
The bill requires the Department of Education’s Articulation Coordinating Committee (ACC) to convene a workgroup to establish a process for prioritizing and determining postsecondary course equivalencies and the minimum credit or clock hours that must be awarded in an accredited nursing education program for military training and education associated with service in specified positions. The process must be approved by the Board of Governors of the State University System (BOG) and the State Board of Education (SBE).
The bill requires the ACC to approve a list of postsecondary course equivalencies and credit and clock hours awarded for such courses and training, which must be approved by the BOG and SBE in the statewide articulation agreement. State universities, Florida College System institutions, and career centers must award credit or clock hours based on the approved list.
Additionally, the bill revises a primary goal of the Florida Center for Nursing to provide that, under its strategic statewide plan for nursing manpower, the encouragement and coordination of the development of partnerships must include partnerships with hospitals that provide opportunities for nursing students to obtain clinical experience.
If approved by the Governor, or allowed to become law without the Governor’s signature, these provisions take effect upon becoming law.
Vote: Senate 39-0; House 117-0