BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 365
80R4544 KEL-D By: Nelson
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, Texas has a healthcare workforce shortage and a lack of diversity within the existing healthcare workforce. This problem can be addressed by allowing nontraditional students to enter health care professional programs.
As proposed, S.B. 365 authorizes the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to award grants to assist schools by offering distance and community-based education programs and to appoint a committee to advise THECB on strategies to encourage more distance learning programs.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 61, education Code, by adding Subchapter FF, as follows:
SUBCHAPTER FF. HEALTH PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION GRANT PROGRAM
Sec. 61.9781. DEFINITION. Defines "eligible health professional education program."
Sec. 61.9782. HEALTH PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION GRANTS; PURPOSE. (a) Authorizes the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to award health professional education grants to eligible health professional education programs (program) at institutions of higher education to assist the programs in providing distance learning or community-based education projects or activities, expansion of existing distance learning or community-based education projects or activities, and fund other related activities.
(b) Prohibits THECB from awarding grants to replace current funding for an existing distance learning or community-based education project or activity.
Sec. 61.9783. USE OF GRANT. Provides that a grant awarded under this subchapter may be used only for a purpose described by Section 61.9782.
Sec. 61.9784. ADVISORY COMMITTEE. Authorizes THECB to appoint an advisory committee to advise THECB on strategies for assisting programs in providing, expanding, or enhancing distance learning or community-based education projects or activities.
Sec. 61.9785. ANNUAL REPORTS. (a) Requires the program to provide THECB in a form required by THECB, a written report regarding the use of a grant annually at the end of each academic year for which the program was awarded a grant.
(b) Requires THECB to provide to the governor and legislature a consolidated written report from the reports submitted to THECB under Subsection (a) not later than October 31 of each year.
SECTION 2. Requires THECB to award grants under the program created under Subchapter FF, Chapter 61, Education Code, as added by this Act, beginning with the 2008-2009 academic year.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2007.