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House Bill 4471 |
House Author: Kolkhorst et al. |
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Effective: 6-19-09 |
Senate Sponsor: Nelson |
House Bill 4471 amends the Education Code to require the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to establish a process under which a public or private institution of higher education that offers a professional nursing program may apply for a nursing shortage reduction grant and the commissioner of higher education, contingent on appropriations for that purpose, selects applicants to receive such a grant. The bill includes procedures for joint application for a grant, application requirements, and actions the commissioner of higher education is authorized to take if a professional nursing program fails to meet certain conditions agreed to in an application. The bill authorizes the appointment of an advisory committee to advise the board and commissioner in implementing the grant program, requires the coordinating board to adopt rules permitting newly established professional nursing programs to participate in the grant program, and provides for the continued eligibility to participate in the grant program for certain professional nursing programs offered by an entity other than a public or private or independent institution of higher education.