BILL NUMBER: AB 1295INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Fuller FEBRUARY 27, 2009 An act relating to nursing degree programs. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 1295, as introduced, Fuller. Postsecondary education: nursing degree programs. Existing law establishes the University of California, the California State University, and the California Community Colleges as the 3 segments of public postsecondary education in this state. Under existing law, the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges is required to encourage community college districts to, and the Chancellor of the California State University is required to, standardize all nursing education program prerequisites on a statewide basis and negotiate and implement articulation agreements among the campuses and districts of these 2 segments. Existing law, the Entry-Level Master's Nursing Programs Act, among other things, requires the Chancellor of the California State University to determine which campuses are eligible for supplemental funds for establishing entry-level master's programs in nursing. Existing law expresses the intent of the Legislature that, with respect to nursing programs at the University of California, the Regents of the University of California should expand nursing programs to enroll additional students, as specified. This bill would express the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to create a model program that facilitates and expedites, for licensed registered nurses who have completed associate degrees in nursing, the completion of coursework necessary to earn a bachelor of science in nursing degree or a master of science in nursing degree and to create programs that facilitate the completion of master of science in nursing degrees by students with baccalaureate degrees who are enrolled in associate degree nursing programs. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to do both of the following: (a) Create a model program that facilitates and expedites, for licensed registered nurses who have completed associate degrees in nursing, the completion of coursework necessary to earn a bachelor of science in nursing degree or master of science in nursing degree. (b) Create programs that facilitate the completion of master of science in nursing degrees by students who have completed baccalaureate degrees and who are enrolled in associate degree in nursing programs.