SENATE BILL NO. 953

AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE

(Proposed by the House Committee on Education

on ________________)

(Patron Prior to Substitute—Senator Favola)

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 2 of Chapter 9 of Title 23.1 a section numbered 23.1-903.5, relating to certain practical nursing programs; common curriculum; transferability to registered nursing programs; pathway of stackable credentials.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 2 of Chapter 9 of Title 23.1 a section numbered 23.1-903.5 as follows:

§ 23.1-903.5. Certain practical nursing programs; common curriculum; transferability to registered nursing programs; pathway of stackable credentials.

A. The System, in consultation with the Council, the Board of Nursing, and representatives from associate-degree-granting public institutions of higher education that offer nursing programs, shall develop a common curriculum for practical nursing programs that shall be implemented at each comprehensive community college in the System that offers a practical nursing program. Such common curriculum shall, to the extent possible, (i) align with the degree requirements for registered nursing programs offered at associate-degree-granting public institutions of higher education and (ii) be transferable to each registered nursing program offered at an associate-degree-granting public institution of higher education.

B. Each associate-degree-granting public institution of higher education that offers a registered nursing degree program shall participate in a practical nursing program to registered nursing program transfer agreement with the System that aligns with the practical nursing program common curriculum established pursuant to this section. Any public institution of higher education that offers a nursing program or private institution of higher education that offers a registered nursing degree program may also be consulted regarding and participate on a voluntary basis in such a transfer agreement.

C. In addition to the common curriculum established pursuant to subsection A and the transfer agreement established pursuant to subsection B, the System, the Council, and each baccalaureate public institution of higher education that offers a nursing program shall establish a pathway of stackable nursing credentials that consists of a practical nursing to associate registered nursing to bachelor of science in nursing program pathway.

2. That the Virginia Community College System shall develop the common curriculum for practical nursing programs as required pursuant to subsection A of § 23.1-903.5 of the Code of Virginia, as created by this act, no later than July 1, 2026.