SB2054 - Relating to the authorization for and approval of certain nursing programs offered by private postsecondary educational institutions or for-profit entities.

  89R13934 MM-F     By: Kolkhorst S.B. No. 2054       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the authorization for and approval of certain nursing   programs offered by private postsecondary educational institutions   or for-profit entities.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 61.302, Education Code, is amended by   adding Subdivisions (12) and (13) to read as follows:                 (12)     "Professional degree"   includes a Doctor of   Medicine (M.D.), Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.), Doctor of Dental   Surgery (D.D.S.), Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.), Juris   Doctor (J.D.), and Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.).                 (13)     “Nursing program” means a program preparing a   student for licensure as a licensed vocational nurse or a program   leading to an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), a Bachelor of   Science in Nursing (BSN), a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), or a   Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).          SECTION 2.  Section 61.303, Education Code, is amended by   amending Subsection (c-1) and adding Subsection (c-2) to read as   follows:          (c-1)  The board may not approve the issuance of a   certificate of authorization for an exempt institution to grant a   professional degree or to represent that credits earned in this   state are applicable toward a professional degree except to the   extent allowed for an authorized institution operating under a   State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA). [ In this   subsection, "professional degree" includes Doctor of Medicine   (M.D.), Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.), Doctor of Dental Surgery   (D.D.S.), Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.), Juris Doctor   (J.D.), and Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.). ]           (c-2)     The board may not approve the issuance of a   certificate of authorization for an exempt institution to offer a   nursing program or grant a nursing degree or to represent that   credits earned in a nursing program in this state are applicable   toward a nursing degree except to the extent:                 (1)     allowed for an authorized institution operating   under a State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA); or                 (2)  determined necessary by the board.          SECTION 3.  Section 61.306(c-1), Education Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (c-1)  The board may issue a certificate of authority for a   private postsecondary educational institution to grant a   professional degree , to offer a nursing program or grant a nursing   degree, or to represent that credits earned in this state are   applicable toward a professional or nursing degree only if the   board determines that:                (1)  the capacity and ability of similar [ professional   degree ] programs at institutions of higher education and private or   independent institutions of higher education are insufficient to   meet the state's current market needs;                (2)  the institution seeking the certificate of   authority:                      (A)  has the necessary faculty and other resources   to ensure student success; and                      (B)  is subject to and agrees to meet the same   standards for approval and all academic criteria applicable to   similar [ professional degree ] programs offered by institutions of   higher education and private or independent institutions of higher   education; and                (3)  sufficient placements are available to students   for required field-based experience, such as clinicals or   clerkships, for the proposed program or  [ professional ] degree.          SECTION 4.  Section 61.306(d), Education Code, is repealed.          SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.