Amends the Nurse Practice Act. Makes changes to the requirements for a registered professional nursing education program in provisions concerning the establishment of a new program, program policies, faculty members, training and development, the program's curriculum, the program's use of simulation, the accreditation process, approval by the Board of Nursing, and the program closure process. Makes a conforming change. Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation may, without hearing, rescind the license of any person who obtain a license after completing a program or obtaining credit from a program that does not meet the requirements of the provisions regarding registered professional nursing education programs. In provisions concerning nursing licensure by examination, removes the provision regarding the good standing period for professional nursing programs on probationary status.
House Floor Amendment No. 1: Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Requires the approval of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation for certain aspects of nursing education programs. Provides that a nursing education program may not use simulation as a substitute for traditional clinical experience for more than 25% (rather than 50%) of a course's total clinical hours. Provides that programs may seek an exception to the simulation limitation from the Board of Nursing and must follow the requirements set forth in the "Guidelines for the Use of Simulation by Prelicensure Nursing Programs" as published on the Department's website. Provides that if the Department obtains evidence at any time that a registered professional nursing program does not comply with the Act, it may perform an unannounced site visit. Provides that the Department may, without a hearing, rescind the license of an individual who has been identified by a federal investigation as presenting illegitimate educational credentials that have been flagged by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (rather than the license of any person who obtained a license after completing a program or obtaining credit from a program that does not meet the requirements of the amendatory provisions). Sets forth provisions concerning notice and review of a rescission. Provides that a rescission shall not constitute discipline as provided in the Act and shall not be an automatic bar to licensure if the applicant elects to re-apply (rather than shall not constitute discipline as provided in the Act). Provides that the amendatory provisions shall not prevent the Department from considering a rescission during a future regulatory action. Removes provisions concerning what a registered professional nursing education program must do when it loses its national accreditation, when the Board may withdraw its approval of a registered professional nursing education program, the closing of a registered professional nursing education program due to withdrawal of Board approval or due to voluntary closure, and mitigation efforts by a registered professional nursing education program during a declared state of emergency. Makes other changes. Effective July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 225 ILCS 65/60
Engrossed: 225 ILCS 65/60