HBA-BSM S.B. 40 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 40
By: Zaffirini
Higher Education
4/29/2001
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

There is a current shortage of licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) entering
or staying in the long-term care field.  This may make it difficult for
some health care facilities to offer long-term care to  patients.  Senate
Bill 40 provides for tuition assistance for LVN students who agree to
practice in long-term care facilities in this state upon certification.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking
authority is expressly delegated to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
Board in SECTION 1 (Section 61.659, Education Code) of this bill. 

ANALYSIS

Senate Bill 40 amends the Education Code to require the Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board (board) to establish and administer a tuition
assistance program (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.
The bill requires the board to determine the amount of tuition assistance
that a student may receive as appropriate to maximize the effectiveness of
the program, considering the amount of money available for the program.  

S.B. 40 requires the board to adopt rules necessary for the administration
of the program, and sets forth guidelines for what the rules are to
include.  The bill also sets forth provisions regarding the fulfillment of
the work obligation of a student in the program in accordance with board
rules.  The  bill requires the board to require a person who receives
tuition assistance under the program 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.  The bill requires the board to
consult with the appointed vocational nursing student assistance advisory
committee concerning assistance provided to vocational nursing students
under the program.  The bill authorizes the legislature to appropriate
money for the purposes of the program and authorizes the board to accept
gifts, grants, and donations from any public or private source for the
purposes of the program. 
 
EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001.