SRC-JEC S.B. 40 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 40
By: Zaffirini
Health & Human Services
6/21/2001
Enrolled


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

There is a current shortage of licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) entering
or staying in the long-term care field.  S.B. 40 provides for tuition
assistance for LVN students who agree to practice in long-term care
settings upon certification. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board in SECTION 1 (Section 61.659, Education Code) of this
bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 61L, Education Code, by adding Section 61.659, as
follows: 

Sec. 61.659. TUITION ASSISTANCE FOR VOCATIONAL NURSING STUDENTS AGREEING TO
PRACTICE IN LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES. (a) Defines "long-term care
facility." 

(b) Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (board), in
addition to any other financial aid program established under this
subchapter, to establish and administer a tuition assistance program for
vocational nursing students attending any school or program in this state
who agree, following licensure as a licensed vocational nurse, to practice
in a long-term care facility in this state. 

(c) Requires the board to establish and administer the tuition assistance
program in a manner that the board determines best promotes the needs of
clients of long-term care facilities in this state.  Requires the board to
determine the amount of tuition assistance that a student is authorized to
receive as the board considers appropriate in order to maximize the
effectiveness of the program, considering the amount of money available for
the program. 

(d) Requires the board to adopt rules necessary for the administration of
this section, including rules providing certain elements. 

(e) Requires the student, once the student completes all courses required
for licensure, to begin fulfilling the long-term care facility work
obligation not later than a time specified by board rule, unless the board
grants the student, on a showing of good cause, additional time to begin
fulfilling the work obligation.  Requires the student to complete the
long-term care facility work obligation within a period determined by board
rule, unless the board grants the student, on a showing of good cause,
additional time to complete the work obligation. 

(f) Requires the board to require a person who receives tuition assistance
under this section to sign a promissory note acknowledging the conditional
nature of the tuition assistance and promising to repay the amount of the
tuition assistance plus applicable interest and reasonable collection costs
if the person does not satisfy the applicable long-term care facility work
obligation within the required time or other conditions of the assistance.
Requires the board to determine the terms of the promissory note. 

(g) Requires the board to consult with the advisory committee appointed
under Section 61.657(b) concerning assistance provided under this section
to vocational nursing students. Provides that Section 61.657(c) also
applies to this section. 

(h) Authorizes the legislature to appropriate money for the purposes of
this section.  Authorizes the board to accept gifts, grants, and donations
from any public or private source for the purposes of this section. 

SECTION 2.   Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.
            Requires the board to establish the tuition assistance program
under Section 61.659, Education Code, as added by this Act, as soon as the
board determines practicable.