Bill Text: PA HB490 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Authorizing the Nursing Undergraduate Returning Student Eligibility Program.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2009-02-18 - Referred to EDUCATION [HB490 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2009-HB490-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 542
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 490 Session of2009
INTRODUCED BY ARGALL, BENNINGHOFF, THOMAS, BAKER, BARRAR, BEYER, BOYD, BRENNAN, BROWN, DALLY, DONATUCCI, ELLIS, FAIRCHILD, GEORGE, GILLESPIE, GINGRICH, GOODMAN, GROVE, HARHAI, M. KELLER, KILLION, KORTZ, LONGIETTI, McILVAINE SMITH, MELIO, MICCARELLI, MURT, O'NEILL, PAYNE, PICKETT, PYLE, READSHAW, REICHLEY, SEIP, SIPTROTH, K. SMITH, SOLOBAY, STABACK, WANSACZ, WATSON, YUDICHAK AND FREEMAN, FEBRUARY 18, 2009
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, FEBRUARY 18, 2009
AN ACT
Amending the act of January 25, 1966 (1965 P.L.1546, No.541),
entitled "An act providing scholarships and providing funds
to secure Federal funds for qualified students of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania who need financial assistance to
attend postsecondary institutions of higher learning, making
an appropriation, and providing for the administration of
this act," authorizing the Nursing Undergraduate Returning
Student Eligibility Program.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of January 25, 1966 (1965 P.L.1546, No.
541), referred to as the Higher Education Scholarship Law, is
amended by adding a section to read:
Section 8.5. Nursing Undergraduate Returning Student
Eligibility Program.--(a) The Nursing Undergraduate Returning
Student Eligibility Program is established in the agency.
Beginning in the 2009-2010 fiscal year and each year thereafter,
to the extent that funds are specifically appropriated for the
purpose, the agency shall provide up to four additional years of
grant eligibility for applicants who previously completed an
undergraduate degree program and enroll in an agency-approved
nursing program at an approved institution of higher learning
within this Commonwealth.
(b) As part of its annual budget request to the General
Assembly, the agency shall request funds for the purpose of
carrying out the provisions of this section separate from the
agency's request for funds under section 8 of this act.
(c) The scholarship shall be terminated if the student
receives his degree in a shorter period of time. Qualifications
for renewal shall include maintaining satisfactory academic
standing, making normal progress toward completion of the course
of study and continued eligibility as determined by the agency,
including continual legal residency.
(d) The agency shall determine eligibility criteria and
approve programs, including, but not limited to, nurse education
programs and nurse instructor programs at approved institutions
of higher learning within this Commonwealth.
(e) A grant recipient shall enter into a contract with the
agency that requires the recipient, upon successful completion
of an approved nursing program and licensure as a registered
nurse to practice nursing in this Commonwealth or a nursing
instructor program, to practice or teach for a period of not
less than five consecutive years.
(f) The contract entered into with the agency pursuant to
subsection (e) of this section shall be considered a contract
with the Commonwealth and shall include the following terms:
(1) For nurse education program participants:
(i) An unlicensed recipient shall apply for a registered
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nurse's license to practice in this Commonwealth at the earliest
practicable opportunity upon successfully completing a degree in
nursing.
(ii) Within six months after licensure, a recipient shall
engage in the practice of nursing in this Commonwealth according
to the terms of the grant award.
(iii) The recipient shall agree to practice in a licensed
health care facility in the provision of direct patient care on
a full-time basis.
(iv) The recipient shall permit the agency to determine
compliance with the work requirements for nurses and all other
terms of the contract.
(v) Upon the recipient's death or total or permanent
disability, the agency shall nullify the service obligation of
the recipient.
(vi) If the recipient is convicted of or pleads guilty or no
contest to a felony or if the licensing board has determined
that the recipient has committed an act of gross negligence in
the performance of service obligations or has suspended or
revoked the license to practice, the agency shall terminate the
recipient's service in the program and demand repayment of the
amount of grants as of the date of the conviction,
determination, suspension or revocation.
(vii) Recipients who fail to begin or complete the
obligations contracted for shall pay to the agency the amount of
the grants received under the terms of the contract pursuant to
this section. Providing false information or misrepresentation
on an application or verification of service shall be deemed a
default.
(2) For nurse instructor program participants:
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(i) Within six months after completion of a nurse instructor
program, a recipient shall engage in the practice of instructing
nurses in this Commonwealth, according to the terms of the grant
award.
(ii) The recipient shall agree to teach at an approved
institution of higher learning in this Commonwealth.
(iii) The recipient shall permit the agency to determine
compliance with the work requirement for nurse instructors and
all other terms of the contract.
(iv) Upon the recipient's death or total or permanent
disability, the agency shall nullify the service obligation of
the recipient.
(v) Grant recipients who fail to begin or complete the
obligations contracted for shall pay to the agency the amount of
the grants received under the terms of the contract pursuant to
this section. Providing false information or misrepresentation
on an application or verification of service shall be deemed a
default.
(g) The agency shall convert to loans the grants awarded to
participants who fail to complete the five-year employment
requirement, which loans must be repaid in accordance with
repayment terms established by the agency.
(h) Payments received by the agency under subsection (f) of
this section shall be used to provide additional grants under
the program.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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