August 31, 2005, Introduced by Senator BROWN and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
A bill to establish a grant program to support sustained
expansion of nursing school enrollment in this state; to provide
for the administration of the grant program; and to prescribe
certain powers and duties of certain state officers, agencies, and
departments.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the
"nursing school expansion act".
Sec. 2. As used in this act:
(a) "Department" means the department of community health.
(b) "Eligible institution" means a degree- or certificate-
granting public or independent nonprofit college or university,
junior college, or community college in this state.
(c) "Licensed practical nurse" means an individual licensed to
engage in the practice of nursing as a licensed practical nurse as
defined in section 17201 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368,
MCL 333.17201.
(d) "Nursing school" means a program for the training of
individuals to become registered nurses or licensed practical
nurses operated in this state by an eligible institution and
approved by the Michigan board of nursing.
(e) "Registered professional nurse" means that term as defined
in section 17201 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL
333.17201.
Sec. 3. The nursing school grant program is created, to be
administered by the department. The department shall do all of the
following:
(a) Award grants to nursing schools pursuant to this act.
(b) Develop a form of grant application for use by a nursing
school seeking a grant under this act that contains the terms of
the grant and the rights and obligations of the nursing school if
it is awarded a grant.
(c) Conduct periodic audits of grant recipients to ensure
compliance with the terms of the grant and take necessary steps to
enforce the terms of the grant.
(d) Publicize the nursing school grant program.
(e) Promulgate rules as necessary to implement this act
pursuant to the administrative procedures act of 1969, 1969 PA 306,
MCL 24.201 to 24.328. The rules may include additional standards of
eligibility for nursing schools to receive grants under this act.
Sec. 4. (1) The department may award a grant under this act to
a nursing school determined by the department to meet all of the
following eligibility criteria:
(a) The nursing school is engaged in training of individuals
to become registered nurses or licensed practical nurses.
(b) The nursing school is operated in this state by an
eligible institution.
(c) The nursing school is approved by the Michigan board of
nursing.
(d) The nursing school has enrolled more students in the
academic year when the grant application is submitted than in the
previous academic year.
(e) The nursing school has submitted a written grant
application to the department in the form established by the
department under section 3(b).
(f) The nursing school is in compliance with this act and the
rules promulgated under this act.
(g) The nursing school meets any other standards established
in rules promulgated by the authority under section 3.
(2) A grant awarded under this act shall not exceed either of
the following, whichever is less:
(a) An amount equal to $7,500.00, multiplied by the increase
in student enrollment in the nursing school in the academic year
when it submits a grant application from the preceding academic
year.
(b) An aggregate amount of $3,750,000.00.
(3) A nursing school may only submit 1 grant application in an
academic year.
(4) A nursing school may only use money received under this
act for any of the following purposes:
(a) Employment of full-time and part-time faculty and support
personnel.
(b) Providing clinical supervision at hospitals and other
health care facilities.
(c) Purchasing instructional equipment, materials, supplies,
and software.
(d) Providing special preparation classes for nursing
graduates taking a state-approved licensing examination.
(e) Producing marketing and recruitment materials aimed at
attracting qualified students to the nursing school.
Sec. 5. (1) The department of treasury shall establish and
administer a restricted account in the general fund for the nursing
school grant program. The department of treasury shall credit to
the account money appropriated from the general fund or received
from any other source. The department of treasury shall use the
money in the account only to provide money to the department for
grants awarded under this act.
(2) Money in the account described in subsection (1) at the
end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall
be carried over in the account to the next fiscal year.