S.B.�No.�289
AN ACT
relating to the use of professional nursing shortage reduction
program grants to encourage clinical nursing instruction by
part-time faculty at public or private institutions of higher
education.
�������BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
�������SECTION�1.��Subsection (a), Section 61.9623, Education Code,
is amended to read as follows:
�������(a)��A grant from the professional nursing shortage
reduction program to a professional nursing program or other entity
involved with a professional nursing program in the preparation of
students for initial licensure as registered nurses must be:
�������������(1)��expended exclusively on costs related to:
�������������������(A)��enrolling additional students;
�������������������(B)��nursing faculty enhancement in accordance
with Section 61.96231;
�������������������(C)��encouraging innovation in the recruitment
and retention of students, including the recruitment and retention
of Spanish-speaking and bilingual students; or
�������������������(D)��identifying, developing, or implementing
innovative methods to make the most effective use of limited
professional nursing program faculty, instructional or clinical
space, and other resources, including:
�������������������������(i)��sharing administrative or
instructional personnel, facilities, and responsibilities between
two or more professional nursing programs located in the same
region of this state; and
�������������������������(ii)��using preceptors or part-time faculty
to provide clinical instruction in order to address the need for
qualified [reduce the number of new] faculty [needed] to
accommodate increased student enrollment in the professional
nursing program;
�������������(2)��contingent on the professional nursing program's
having been approved as a professional nursing program by the board
or the Board of Nurse Examiners, as appropriate, by September 1,
2001;
�������������(3)��contingent on the professional nursing program's
not being on probation with the Board of Nurse Examiners or other
accrediting body; and
�������������(4)��if granted to increase enrollments, contingent on
the professional nursing program's ability to enroll additional
students, including having the necessary classroom space and
clinical slots.
�������SECTION�2.��This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.��If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2007.
______________________________ ______________________________
���President of the Senate Speaker of the House�����
�������I hereby certify that S.B.�No.�289 passed the Senate on
April�26,�2007, by the following vote:��Yeas�31, Nays�0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate����
�������I hereby certify that S.B.�No.�289 passed the House on
May�17,�2007, by the following vote:��Yeas�143, Nays�0, two
present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House���
Approved:
______________________________�
������������Date
______________________________�
����������Governor