Pennsylvania HB 389: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, establishing the New Nursing Faculty Grant Program; providing for duties of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency; and making an appropriation.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 354
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 389
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY KHAN, KOSIEROWSKI, TAKAC, MAYES, PASHINSKI,
FLEMING, VENKAT, GIRAL, FREEMAN, HILL-EVANS, HANBIDGE,
PROBST, OTTEN, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, INGLIS, CERRATO, WAXMAN,
KAZEEM, CIRESI, SANCHEZ, DONAHUE, HOHENSTEIN, D. WILLIAMS,
SHUSTERMAN AND GREEN, JANUARY 28, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS, JANUARY 28, 2025
AN ACT
Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
act relating to the public school system, including certain
provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
laws relating thereto," establishing the New Nursing Faculty
Grant Program; providing for duties of the Pennsylvania
Higher Education Assistance Agency; and making an
appropriation.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding an
article to read:
ARTICLE XXII-C
NEW NURSING FACULTY GRANT PROGRAM
Section 2201-C. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this article
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
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"Accredited medical college." As follows:
(1) An accredited medical college as defined in section
2 of the act of December 20, 1985 (P.L.457, No.112), known as
the Medical Practice Act of 1985.
(2) An osteopathic medical college as defined in section
2 of the act of October 5, 1978 (P.L.1109, No.261), known as
the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act.
(3) An institution of higher education that meets the
requirements under section 6.1 of the act of May 22, 1951
(P.L.317, No.69), known as The Professional Nursing Law.
(4) A program at an institution of higher education that
meets the requirements under 49 Pa. Code § 18.131 (relating
to recognized educational programs/standards).
(5) A program at an institution of higher education that
meets the requirements under 49 Pa. Code § 25.151 (relating
to certification of physician assistant educational
programs).
(6) An institution of higher education that meets the
requirements under section 3(c) of the act of May 1, 1933
(P.L.216, No.76), known as The Dental Law.
"Agency." The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance
Agency.
"Application." An application for a grant under the program.
"Eligible individual." An individual who meets the
eligibility criteria specified under section 2203-C(c).
"Full-time." A faculty course load of 12 or more academic
credits in each of two semesters in an academic year of an
accredited medical college.
"Grant." A grant under the program.
"Nursing faculty member." An individual employed by an
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accredited medical college who is responsible for teaching
nursing curriculum on-site. The term does not include an
individual who teaches nursing curriculum entirely online.
"Program." The New Nursing Faculty Grant Program established
under section 2202-C.
Section 2202-C. New Nursing Faculty Grant Program.
The agency shall establish and administer the New Nursing
Faculty Grant Program as specified under this article to provide
grants to individuals who are nominated by an accredited medical
college under section 2203-C(a) and satisfy the eligibility
requirements under section 2203-C(c).
Section 2203-C. Applications and eligibility for grants.
(a) Applications.--No later than 120 days after the
effective date of this subsection, the agency shall develop and
make available an application form on the agency's publicly
accessible Internet website. To apply for or renew a grant, the
dean or director of nursing of an accredited medical college
shall submit an application to the agency. The application shall
include, at a minimum, the following information:
(1) The name and current curriculum vitae of each
nursing faculty member who is nominated for a grant by the
accredited medical college.
(2) A v erification of the date of hire or a statement
certifying intention to hire each nursing faculty member.
(3) An anticipated title and discipline of employment
for each nursing faculty member.
(4) A d escription of the job functions to be performed
by each nursing faculty member.
(5) A narrative that substantiates that each nominated
nursing faculty member will increase the enrollment capacity
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of the accredited medical college and that each employment
position was historically difficult to fill.
(b) Restrictions.--The number of nominations made by an
accredited medical college in an application in accordance with
subsection (a) shall be unlimited, but the accredited medical
college shall submit each nomination in the application in