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2000 SESSION


CHAPTER 254
An Act to amend and reenact §§ 32.1-122.6:01, 54.1-3011.1, and 54.1-3011.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to nursing scholarships.
[S 564]
Approved April 2, 2000

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §§ 32.1-122.6:01, 54.1-3011.1, and 54.1-3011.2 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 32.1-122.6:01. Board of Health to award certain scholarships and loan repayment funds.

A. The Board of Health shall award the nursing scholarships available from the Nursing Scholarship and Loan Repayment Fund established in § 54.1-3011.2 pursuant to the procedures for the administration of the scholarships awarded through § 23-35.9.

Eligible students shall be bona fide residents of Virginia as determined by § 23-7.4, shall be enrolled in or accepted for enrollment in nursing education programs preparing them for examination for licensure as practical nurses or registered nurses, and shall also meet such other criteria as may be established by the Board of Health. Prior to awarding any scholarship, the Board of Health shall require the recipient to agree to perform a period of nursing service in this Commonwealth for each scholarship. The Board may establish variable periods of service as conditions for receipt of scholarships according to the amounts of the awards. In the event that fees are collected pursuant to § 54.1-3011.1, the Board shall award these the scholarships funded through such fees to practical nurses and registered nurses in proportion to the funds generated by the fees for licensure from such nurses.

Eligibility for these scholarships shall be limited to a total of four academic years. The scholarships shall be awarded on a competitive basis, considering the financial needs of the applicant, and all such funds shall be used only for payment of charges for tuition, fees, room, board, or other educational expenses as prescribed by the Board of Health.

The Board of Health shall submit the names of the scholarship recipients to the Board of Nursing, which shall be responsible for transmission of the funds to the appropriate institution to be credited to the account of the recipient.

B. The Board shall establish a nursing scholarship and loan repayment program for registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nurse aides who agree to perform a period of service in a Commonwealth long-term care facility pursuant to regulations promulgated by the Board in cooperation with the Board of Nursing. The Board shall submit the names of the scholarship and loan repayment recipients to the Board of Nursing, which shall be responsible for transmission of the funds to the appropriate educational or financial institution to be credited to the account of the recipient.

1. The nursing scholarships authorized by this subsection shall be awarded to eligible students who are bona fide residents of Virginia as determined by § 23-7.4 and who are (i) accepted for enrollment or are enrolled in approved nursing education programs preparing them for examination for licensure as practical nurses or registered nurses or (ii) accepted for enrollment or enrolled in approved nurse aide education programs preparing them for certification as authorized in Chapter 30 (§ 54.1-3000 et seq.) of Title 54.1. Prior to awarding any scholarship, the Board shall require the recipient to agree to perform a period of nursing service in a long-term care facility in the Commonwealth for each scholarship. The Board may establish variable periods of service according to the amount of the award in a long-term care facility as a condition for receipt of a scholarship.

Eligibility for these scholarships shall be limited to a total of four academic years. The scholarships shall be awarded on a competitive basis, considering the financial needs of the applicant, and all such funds shall be used only for payment of charges for tuition, fees, room, board, or other educational expenses as prescribed by the Board.

2. The nursing loan repayment program authorized by this subsection shall be established for registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nurse aides who: (i) are bona fide residents of Virginia as determined by § 23-7.4, (ii) have graduated from an approved educational program pursuant to Chapter 30 (§ 54.1-3000 et seq.) of Title 54.1, and (iii) meet such other criteria as determined by the Board. Prior to awarding any funds, the Board shall require the recipient to agree to perform a period of nursing service in a long-term care facility in the Commonwealth as a condition for loan repayment according to the amount of the award.

§ 54.1-3011.1. Additional fee required for licensure of certain practitioners.

In addition to the fees authorized for licensure and renewal by § 54.1-2400, the Board shall is authorized to charge a fee of not to exceed one dollar for the licensure of every practical nurse and registered nurse to be deposited in the Nursing Scholarship and Loan Repayment Fund established pursuant to § 54.1-3011.2. Such fees shall be used to fund scholarships established pursuant to § 32.1-122.6:01 A.

§ 54.1-3011.2. Nursing Scholarship and Loan Repayment Fund.

A. There is hereby established the Nursing Scholarship and Loan Repayment Fund for the purpose of financing scholarships for (i) students enrolled in or accepted for enrollment by nursing programs which will prepare such students, upon completion, for examination to be licensed by the Board as practical nurses or registered nurses and (ii) those registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nurse aides who agree to perform a period of nursing service in a Commonwealth long-term care facility pursuant to regulations promulgated by the Board of Health in cooperation with the Board.

B. The Fund shall be administered by the Board, in cooperation with the Director of the Department, and the scholarships shall be administered and awarded by the Board of Health pursuant to § 32.1-122.6:01. The Fund shall be maintained and administered separately from any other program or funds of the Board and the Department of Health Professions. No portion of the Fund shall be used for a purpose other than that described in this section and § 32.1-122.6:01. Any money remaining in the fund at the end of a biennium shall not revert to the general fund or the funds of the Department of Health Professions, but shall remain in the Fund to be used only for the purposes of this section. In addition to the any licensure fees required that may be collected pursuant to § 54.1-3011.1, the Fund shall also include:

1. Any funds appropriated by the General Assembly for the purposes of the Fund; and

2. Any gifts, grants, or bequests received from any private person or organization.

Upon receiving the names of the scholarship and loan repayment program recipients from the Board of Health, the Board of Nursing shall be responsible for transmitting the funds to the appropriate institution to be credited to the account of the recipient.

2. That the Board of Health, in cooperation with the Board of Nursing, shall promulgate regulations to implement the provisions of this act within 280 days of enactment. Such regulations shall include a definition of Commonwealth long-term care facility.