Bill Text: PA HB70 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Establishing a nursing scholarship program; and providing for the powers and duties of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency.

Sponsorship: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 23-7)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-01-19 - Referred to EDUCATION [HB70 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2011-HB70-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 33
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 70 Session of2011
INTRODUCED BY HARKINS, READSHAW, B. BOYLE, SCAVELLO, BOBACK, BUXTON, CALTAGIRONE, CREIGHTON, DeLUCA, DERMODY, GEIST, GIBBONS, HORNAMAN, JOHNSON, JOSEPHS, KOTIK, LONGIETTI, MUNDY, PETRI, PYLE, M. O'BRIEN, MANN, K. SMITH, WAGNER, WHITE, YOUNGBLOOD AND KULA, JANUARY 19, 2011
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, JANUARY 19, 2011
AN ACT
Establishing a nursing scholarship program; and providing for
the powers and duties of the Pennsylvania Higher Education
Assistance Agency.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1. Preliminary Provisions
Section 101. Short title.
Section 102. Purpose.
Section 103. Definitions.
Chapter 3. Administration
Section 301. Pennsylvania Nurse Scholarship Program.
Section 302. Nursing Baccalaureate Degree Scholarship.
Section 303. Nursing Program Scholarship.
Section 304. Administration.
Chapter 5. Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 501. Annual report.
Section 502. Minimum nursing data set.
Section 503. Appeals.
Section 504. Regulations.
Section 505. Funding.
Section 506. Effective date.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
CHAPTER 1
PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS
Section 101. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Nursing
Scholarship Act.
Section 102. Purpose.
The purpose of this act is to provide an incentive to
Pennsylvania students to pursue higher education and training in
nursing which is essential to the delivery of quality health
care services in this Commonwealth.
Section 103. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Agency." The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance
Agency.
"Approved course of study." A program or curriculum offered
by a postsecondary educational institution that provides
instruction in nursing and has been approved by the State Board
of Nursing.
"Approved educational institution." A postsecondary
educational institution located in this Commonwealth that is
authorized to provide approved courses of study and diplomas or
certificates approved by the Pennsylvania Higher Education
Assistance Agency as an institution in which students may enroll
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to participate in the Pennsylvania Nurse Scholarship Program.
"Board." The State Board of Nursing.
"Licensed health care facility." A health care facility that
is enrolled in the Commonwealth's medical assistance program and
is licensed under the act of July 19, 1979 (P.L.130, No.48),
known as the Health Care Facilities Act, or Article X of the act
of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Public Welfare
Code.
"Licensed practical nurse." An individual licensed under the
laws of this Commonwealth to practice practical nursing.
"Nurse." A licensed practical or registered nurse.
"Registered nurse." An individual licensed under the laws of
this Commonwealth to practice professional nursing.
"Student." An individual domiciled in this Commonwealth who
attends or is about to attend a postsecondary educational
institution located in this Commonwealth.
"Work requirement." Postgraduate, full-time employment in
direct patient care with a licensed health care facility located
in this Commonwealth in an occupation related to an approved
course of study under this act. The term does not include a paid
student internship, a paid fellowship, volunteer service or
employment before graduation.
CHAPTER 3
ADMINISTRATION
Section 301. Pennsylvania Nurse Scholarship Program.
(a) Establishment.--There is established the Pennsylvania
Nurse Scholarship Program within the agency, to consist of the
Nursing Baccalaureate Degree Scholarship and the Nursing Program
Scholarship.
(b) Issuance of grants.--The agency may provide scholarship
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grants to an eligible student upon confirmation from an approved
educational institution that the student is enrolled in an
approved course of study. Scholarship grants shall only be for
the amount set forth in sections 302(a) and 303(a) and shall
only be used for educational costs as determined by the agency.
(c) Other funding.--Prior to making a grant under this act,
the agency shall first apply Federal Pell Grant and State grants
available for educational costs related to an undergraduate
program prior to determining the amount of the scholarship
grant.
(d) Eligibility.--To receive a scholarship grant under this
chapter, a student shall meet all of the following requirements:
(1) Graduation from a high school in this Commonwealth,
or earned general educational development (GED) diploma or
the equivalent thereof.
(2) Maintenance of domicile in Pennsylvania during the
term of the scholarship grants.
(3) Compliance with any conditions placed on the
scholarship grant by the agency.
(4) Maintenance of satisfactory progress as established
by the approved educational institution's written policies.
(5) Entrance into a written agreement with the agency
to:
(i) Complete an approved course of study.
(ii) Commence employment involving direct patient
care with a licensed health care facility in this
Commonwealth within one year after completion of an
approved course of study for a period of one year for
each academic year the student received a scholarship
grant under this chapter unless the agency determines
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that there are extenuating circumstances.
(iii) Reimburse the Commonwealth all amounts
received under this chapter and interest thereon, as
determined by the agency, if the student fails to comply
with subparagraphs (i) and (ii).
(e) Application.--A student shall apply to the agency for a
scholarship grant as prescribed by the agency, to include the
provision of all information and documentation required by the
agency. The application of a student under 18 years of age shall
include the signature of a parent or guardian.
(f) Work requirement.--The work requirement under subsection
(d)(5)(ii) shall begin after completion of the approved course
of study.
(g) Termination.--If a student terminates enrollment in the
approved educational institution during the academic year or
prior to completion of the approved course of study, the
approved educational institution shall notify the agency in
writing and shall return all unused portions of the scholarship
grant. Returned amounts shall be used to fund other scholarship
grants under this chapter.
(h) Transfer.--A scholarship under this chapter is only
transferrable to another educational institution if approved by
the agency.
(i) Limitation.--Grants awarded under the Pennsylvania Nurse
Scholarship Program shall be limited to funds appropriated for
that purpose. First priority for awarding grants shall be given
to renewal applicants. Thereafter, grants shall be awarded on a
first-come, first-served basis.
(j) Minors.--A person under 18 years of age who otherwise
qualifies for scholarship grants under this section shall not be
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disqualified based upon age.
(k) Ineligibility.--The agency may deny a scholarship grant
to a student who is convicted under section 8.2 of the act of
January 25, 1966 (1965 P.L.1546, No.541), referred to as the
Higher Education Scholarship Law.
(l) Fraud.--Any person who knowingly or intentionally
procures, obtains or aids another to procure or obtain a grant
under this chapter through fraudulent means shall be
disqualified from participation in the Pennsylvania Nurse
Scholarship Program and shall be liable to the agency for an
amount equal to three times the amount obtained.
Section 302. Nursing Baccalaureate Degree Scholarship.
(a) Amount of grants.--The agency shall award a Nursing
Baccalaureate Degree Scholarship in the amount of $3,000 per
academic year, or a lesser amount following application of
Federal and State grants under section 301(c) to a student
enrolled full time in an approved educational institution
pursuing a bachelor's degree in nursing. The student shall take
at least 12 semester hours, or its equivalent, in an approved
course of study.
(b) Term of grant.--The grant shall be for a maximum of four
academic years.
Section 303. Nursing Program Scholarship.
(a) Amount of grants.--The agency shall award a Nursing
Program Scholarship in the amount of $1,500 per academic year or
a lesser amount following application of Federal or State grants
under section 301(c) to a student enrolled full time in an
approved educational institution pursuing an associate's degree,
diploma or certificate. A student who is enrolled part time and
is pursuing an associate's degree, diploma or certificate is
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eligible for a grant of 50% of educational costs as determined
by the agency.
(b) Term of grant.--The grant shall be for a maximum of two
academic years or for up to three academic years if the student
is enrolled in an approved course of study that, according to
the board, requires three academic years to complete. In order
to qualify for a grant in a third academic year, the student
must be in compliance with section 301(d) and the institution
must determine that the student is making satisfactory progress
toward completing an associate's degree or the requirements of
the diploma or certificate program.
Section 304. Administration.
(a) Verification.--The agency shall monitor and verify a
student's fulfillment of all work requirements under this
chapter.
(b) Enforcement.--The agency shall enforce repayment of all
scholarship grants for a student who does not comply with the
provisions of this chapter, to include use of all lawful
collection procedures and the use of private collection
agencies.
(c) Tax.--Scholarship grants received by a student under
this chapter shall not be considered taxable income for purposes
of Article III of the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known
as the Tax Reform Code of 1971.
(d) Financial assistance.--Scholarship grants received by a
student under this chapter shall not be considered financial
assistance or appropriations to the approved educational
institution.
(e) Customized job training.--No funds under this chapter
shall be granted to a person enrolled in a customized job
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training partnership program or continuing education course from
a postsecondary educational institution for which an employer is
providing over 50% of the financial support, directly or
indirectly, and for which the student is not being charged
tuition or fees.
CHAPTER 5
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 501. Annual report.
(a) Development of report.--The agency shall publish a
report by September 1, 2011, and every year thereafter for the
immediately preceding fiscal year. The report shall include
information regarding the operation of the programs established
under this act, including:
(1) The number of applications received for the Nursing
Baccalaureate Degree Scholarship and the Nursing Program
Scholarship.
(2) The number, type and amount of Nursing Baccalaureate
Degree Scholarships and Nursing Program Scholarships awarded.
(3) The number of scholarship grantees who withdraw from
the scholarship programs, reported by cause.
(4) The number of full-time and part-time students
receiving scholarships, reported by type of institution
attending, including four-year educational institutions,
community colleges, independent two-year colleges, private
licensed schools, hospital-based courses of study and
certificate programs.
(5) The number and type of enforcement actions taken by
the agency.
(b) Submission.--The annual report shall be submitted to the
Governor, the chairman and minority chairman of the
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Appropriations Committee of the Senate, the chairman and
minority chairman of the Appropriations Committee of the House
of Representatives, the chairman and minority chairman of the
Education Committee of the Senate, the chairman and minority
chairman of the Public Health and Welfare Committee of the
Senate and the chairman and minority chairman of the Health and
Human Services Committee of the House of Representatives.
Section 502. Minimum nursing data set.
(a) Duty of State Board of Nursing.--The State Board of
Nursing shall collect, store and make available nursing work
force information regarding all of the categories of nurses.
(b) Information.--The information to be collected as part of
the routine licensure renewal process on nurses shall include,
but not be limited to:
(1) Demographics, including:
(i) Year of birth.
(ii) Ethnicity: Hispanic/Latino; Native Americans;
Alaska Native; Asian; Pacific Islander; African American,
not of Hispanic origin; White, not of Hispanic origin.
(iii) Zip code of residence.
(2) Basic education, including:
(i) Program type: LPN, hospital-based, ADN, BSN and
MS.
(ii) Year graduated.
(iii) State in which basic program is located.
(3) Highest education attained, including:
(i) Program type: LPH, hospital-based, AA/AND,
BS/BSN, MS/MSN and PhD/EdD.
(ii) Year graduated.
(iii) Preparation as advanced nurse practitioner,
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nurse practitioner, nurse-midwife, clinical nurse
specialist and nurse anesthetist.
(4) Employment, including:
(i) Current employment.
(ii) Number of hours worked in typical week.
(iii) Setting of primary employer: hospital, long-
term care, ambulatory care, physician office, public
health, home health care or other.
(iv) Setting of secondary employer: hospital, long-
term care, ambulatory care, physician office, public
health care, home health care or other.
(v) Type of position: staff nurse, educator,
management, utilization/case management, advanced
practice or other.
(vi) Zip code of primary employer.
(vii) Currently unemployed in nursing: student;
seeking nursing employment; seeking employment in other
health-related field; seeking employment in other field;
employed in other health-related field; employed in other
field; not seeking nursing employment; not seeking
employment or retired.
(viii) Intention to remain employed in nursing, one
to three years; three to five years; five to ten years or
greater than ten years.
(5) Licensure, including:
(i) State issuing first license.
(ii) Year first license issued.
(iii) States where current licensure is held.
(iv) Name under which license issued or number of
license for each state in which nurse is licensed.
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(c) Duty of Department of Labor and Industry.--The
Department of Labor and Industry shall, through its Center for
Workforce Information and Analysis, regularly analyze and
publish the information collected by the board in combination
with information obtained from employers to better understand
the supply and demand for nurses in this Commonwealth and to
assist in work force planning and development.
Section 503. Appeals.
The provisions of this act shall be subject to 22 Pa. Code
Ch. 121 (relating to student financial aid).
Section 504. Regulations.
The agency shall adopt regulations and procedures necessary
to carry out the purposes of this act.
Section 505. Funding.
Scholarship awards shall be made to the extent that funds are
appropriated by the General Assembly for this act.
Section 506. Effective date.
This act shall take effect in 90 days.
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