The bill establishes the Florida Center for Nursing at the University of South Florida, which will manage the Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) Fund. This center is responsible for promoting matching funds, providing technical assistance to eligible institutions, and developing guidelines for fund administration. It will evaluate funding proposals, prioritize grant applications, and require annual reports from institutions receiving funds. The bill also clarifies the center's responsibilities, including the compilation and publication of a list of eligible health science programs.

Additionally, the bill modifies fee waiver provisions for students in Programs of Strategic Emphasis, ensuring a full waiver of out-of-pocket tuition and fees after other aid is applied. It expands the LINE Fund's purpose to address shortages in various health science professions, streamlining reporting requirements for state universities and the Board of Governors. The fund will now be managed by the center rather than the Board of Governors and Department of Education, providing matching funds for contributions from health care partners and other entities. Institutions must submit standardized proposals detailing their health care partners and intended fund usage, with the Department of Education tasked with identifying eligible health science programs and publishing a list by October 1, 2026. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
S 2516 pb: 464.0195