88(R) SB 25 - Enrolled version - Bill Text
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AN ACT
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relating to support for nursing-related postsecondary education, |
 
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including scholarships to nursing students, loan repayment |
 
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assistance to nurses and nursing faculty, and grants to nursing |
 
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education programs. |
 
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             BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
 
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             SECTION  1.    Section 61.651(1), Education Code, is amended to |
 
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read as follows: |
 
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                         (1)    "Professional nursing student" means a student |
 
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enrolled in [an institution of higher education or a private or |
 
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independent institution of higher education in] a course of study |
 
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leading to an initial or an advanced degree in professional nursing |
 
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at: |
 
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                                     (A)    an institution of higher education; |
 
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                                     (B)    a private or independent institution of |
 
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higher education; or |
 
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                                     (C)    a nonprofit, tax-exempt, regionally |
 
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accredited college or university operating in accordance with a |
 
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memorandum of understanding with this state under an executive |
 
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order issued by the governor. |
 
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             SECTION  2.    Section 61.655, Education Code, is amended to |
 
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read as follows: |
 
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             Sec.  61.655.    PURPOSE; ELIGIBILITY. (a) A scholarship |
 
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program[, matching fund program,] or loan repayment program |
 
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established under this subchapter shall be established and |
 
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administered in a manner that the board determines best promotes |
 
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the health care and educational needs of this state. |
 
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             (b)    The board may establish multiple categories of persons |
 
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to receive scholarships[, matching funds,] and loan repayments. |
 
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The board may include faculty from professional nursing programs |
 
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with master's degrees or doctorates among the categories of persons |
 
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authorized to receive loan repayments. |
 
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             (c)    Each year funds are available, the board shall establish |
 
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the categories of persons eligible to receive scholarships[, |
 
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matching funds,] and loan repayments and the criteria for selecting |
 
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persons to be assisted under each category. The criteria: |
 
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                         (1)    must include that the person be enrolled in, or |
 
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have outstanding student loans for education received at, as |
 
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applicable to the program: |
 
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                                     (A)    an institution of higher education;   |
 
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                                     (B)    a private or independent institution of |
 
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higher education; or |
 
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                                     (C)    a nonprofit college or university described |
 
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by Section 61.651(1)(C); and |
 
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                         (2)    may include: |
 
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                                     (A)  [(1)]    scholastic ability and performance; |
 
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                                     (B)  [(2)]    financial need; |
 
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                                     (C)  [(3)]    the geographical area in which the |
 
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person is likely to practice; |
 
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                                     (D)  [(4)]    whether the person receives Temporary |
 
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Assistance for Needy Families [Aid to Families with Dependent |
 
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Children] or participates in another public welfare program; |
 
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                                     (E)  [(5)]    employment by a state agency; |
 
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                                     (F)  [(6)]    employment on a nursing school faculty |
 
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or a person's intention to seek employment on a nursing school |
 
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faculty; |
 
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                                     (G)  [(7)]    whether the person is practicing in a |
 
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geographical area, a practice setting, or an area of practice with |
 
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an acute nursing shortage or is likely to practice in such an area; |
 
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                                     (H)  [(8)]    the type of certificate or academic |
 
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degree held or pursued; or |
 
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                                     (I)  [(9)]    any additional factors the board |
 
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considers relevant to promoting the health care and educational |
 
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needs of the state. |
 
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             SECTION  3.    Section 61.656, Education Code, is amended by |
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