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CS/SB 1246 — Linking Industry to Nursing Education Fund
by Appropriations Committee on Higher Education and Senator Davis
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 revises the Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) Fund to expand opportunities for collaboration between nursing education programs and health care partners through monetary and nonmonetary contributions to increase the number of nurses entering the workforce.
The bill provides that monetary or nonmonetary contributions from a health care partner or other person or entity are eligible for a dollar-to-dollar match from the LINE Fund, subject to available funds, but prioritizes monetary contributions from health care partners when awarding matching funds.
The bill expands the authorized uses of LINE funds to support activities that increase nursing education capacity, to include recruitment of preceptors, increasing program enrollment and completion rates, improving licensure examination passage rates, and internships. The bill also clarifies that while LINE funds may not be used to construct new buildings, they may be used to expand, retrofit, or upgrade existing facilities if the proposal will increase program enrollment or improve educational or simulation space for nursing students.
The bill specifies that allowable nonmonetary contributions are limited to the donated use of health care partner employees, space or equipment, educational or simulation equipment, and other quantifiable goods or services. The bill requires the Board of Governors (BOG) or the Department of Education (DOE), as applicable, to determine the fair market value of nonmonetary contributions, and prohibits proposals that consist solely of nonmonetary contributions.
The bill revises the criteria used by the BOG or DOE, as applicable, to review and evaluate proposals to consider monetary and nonmonetary contributions committed by a health care partner, how funds will be used to increase student enrollment and program completion, and how proposals will expand nursing education programs to meet workforce demands.
Additionally, the bill authorizes the BOG or the DOE, as applicable, to release matching funds on a dollar-for-dollar basis based on the amount of funds or the fair market value of nonmonetary contributions. The bill also authorizes the BOG or the DOE to award LINE funds for up to two academic years following the year of initial approval, subject to subsequent appropriations and health care partner contributions.
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 112-0