81R2640 KEL-D
By: Nelson S.B. No. 290
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation and implementation of the health
professional education grant program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 61, Education Code, is amended by adding
Subchapter HH to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER HH. HEALTH PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION GRANT PROGRAM
Sec. 61.9801. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "eligible
health professional education program" means:
(1) an accredited physician residency training
program;
(2) an accredited professional nursing program that
prepares students for initial licensure as registered nurses;
(3) an accredited vocational nursing program that
prepares students for licensure as licensed vocational nurses;
(4) an accredited advanced nurse practitioner program
leading to registration with the Board of Nurse Examiners as an
advanced nurse practitioner;
(5) an undergraduate or graduate physician assistant
program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on
Education for the Physician Assistant or its successor; or
(6) an accredited undergraduate or graduate allied
health program that prepares students to practice as allied health
professionals, as defined by 42 U.S.C. Section 295p.
Sec. 61.9802. HEALTH PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION GRANTS;
PURPOSE. (a) The board may award health professional education
grants to eligible health professional education programs at
institutions of higher education to:
(1) assist the programs in:
(A) providing new distance learning or
community-based education projects or activities; or
(B) expanding or enhancing existing distance
learning or community-based education projects or activities; and
(2) fund other related activities.
(b) The board may not award a grant under this section to
replace current funding for an existing distance learning or
community-based education project or activity.
Sec. 61.9803. USE OF GRANT. A grant awarded under this
subchapter may be used only for a purpose described by Section
61.9802.
Sec. 61.9804. ADVISORY COMMITTEE. The board may appoint an
advisory committee to advise the board on successful strategies for
assisting eligible health professional education programs in
providing, expanding, or enhancing distance learning or
community-based education projects or activities.
Sec. 61.9805. ANNUAL REPORTS. (a) At the end of each
academic year for which an eligible health professional education
program is awarded a grant under this subchapter and in the form the
board requires, the program shall provide to the board a written
report regarding the use of the grant.
(b) Not later than October 31 of each year, the board shall
provide to the governor and the legislature a written report
consolidated from the reports submitted to the board under
Subsection (a).
SECTION 2. Beginning with the 2010-2011 academic year, the
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall award grants under
the health professional education grant program created under
Subchapter HH, Chapter 61, Education Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.