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1     AN ACT concerning regulation.
 
2     Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3 represented in the General Assembly:
 
4
ARTICLE 5. GENERAL PROVISIONS.

 
5     Section 5-5. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
6 Nurse Educator Assistance Act.
 
7     Section 5-10. Purpose. The purpose of this Act is to
8 attract capable and promising students to the nursing educator
9 profession, increase employment and retention of individuals
10 who are working towards or who have received a master's or
11 doctoral degree in nursing, and provide opportunities for
12 persons making mid-career decisions to enter the nurse educator
13 profession.
 
14     Section 5-15. Definitions. In this Act:
15     "Approved program of professional nursing education" and
16 "approved program of practical nursing education" mean
17 programs of professional or practical nursing, respectively,
18 approved by the Department of Financial and Professional
19 Regulation under the provisions of the Nursing and Advanced
20 Practice Nursing Act.
21     "Commission" means the Illinois Student Assistance
22 Commission.
 
23     Section 5-20. Rulemaking. The Commission shall adopt all
24 rules necessary for the administration of this Act.
 
25
ARTICLE 10. NURSE EDUCATOR LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM.

 
26     Section 10-5. Nurse Educator Loan Repayment Program. There
27 is created, beginning July 1, 2007, the Nurse Educator Loan

 

 

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1 Repayment Program to be administered by the Illinois Student
2 Assistance Commission. The program shall provide assistance,
3 subject to appropriation, to eligible nurse educators.
 
4     Section 10-10. Award; maximum time period; maximum amount.
5 Subject to appropriation, the Commission shall award a grant to
6 each qualified applicant for a maximum of 4 years. The amount
7 of this grant shall not exceed $5,000 per year. The Commission
8 shall encourage the recipient of a grant awarded under the
9 program to use the grant award for payment of the recipient's
10 educational loan.
 
11     Section 10-15. Application. All applications for grant
12 assistance under the program shall be made to the Commission in
13 a form and manner prescribed by the Commission. Applicants
14 shall also submit any supporting documents deemed necessary by
15 the Commission at the time of application.
 
16     Section 10-20. Eligibility.
17     (a) The Commission shall, on an annual basis, receive and
18 consider applications for grant assistance under the program.
19 An applicant is eligible for a grant under the program if the
20 Commission finds that the applicant:
21         (1) is a United States citizen or permanent resident;
22         (2) is a resident of Illinois;
23         (3) has worked for at least 12 consecutive months as a
24     nurse educator in an approved program of professional or
25     practical nursing education in Illinois;
26         (4) is a borrower with an outstanding balance due on an
27     educational loan; and
28         (5) has not defaulted on an educational loan.
29     (b) Preference may be given to previous recipients of a
30 grant under the program, provided that the recipient continues
31 to meet the eligibility requirements set forth in this Section.
32     (c) A recipient of a grant under the program must fulfill a
33 separate 12-month period as a nurse educator in an approved

 

 

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1 program of professional or practical nursing education in
2 Illinois for each grant that he or she is awarded.
 
3
ARTICLE 15. NURSE EDUCATOR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.

 
4     Section 15-5. Nurse Educator Scholarship Program. There is
5 created, beginning July 1, 2006, the Nurse Educator Scholarship
6 Program to be administered by the Illinois Student Assistance
7 Commission. The program shall provide scholarship assistance,
8 subject to appropriation, to eligible students for
9 nursing-related graduate study.
 
10     Section 15-10. Scholarship award; maximum time period;
11 maximum amount.
12     (a) Subject to appropriation, the Commission shall award a
13 nurse educator scholarship to each qualified applicant in an
14 amount sufficient to pay the tuition and fees of the Illinois
15 institution of higher learning at which the recipient is
16 enrolled, up to the current maximum amount of tuition and fees
17 charged to students enrolled in an approved program of
18 professional or practical nursing education at a public
19 university.
20     (b) Scholarship recipients shall also receive a stipend,
21 the amount of which shall not exceed $10,000, to cover other
22 costs of attendance, including, but not limited to, living
23 expenses. Stipend amounts for recipients enrolled on less than
24 a full-time basis shall be prorated by credit hour.
25     (c) A recipient may receive scholarship assistance under
26 the program for the equivalent of 8 semesters or 16 quarters of
27 full-time enrollment.
28     (d) The total amount of scholarship assistance awarded by
29 the Commission under the program to an individual in any given
30 fiscal year, when added to other financial assistance awarded
31 to that individual for that year, may not exceed the cost of
32 attendance at the institution of higher learning at which the
33 student is enrolled.
 

 

 

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1     Section 15-15. Application. All applications for a
2 scholarship under the program shall be made to the Commission
3 in a form and manner prescribed by the Commission. Applicants
4 shall also submit any supporting documents deemed necessary by
5 the Commission at the time of application.
 
6     Section 15-20. Eligibility.
7     (a) The Commission shall, on an annual basis, receive and
8 consider applications for scholarship assistance under the
9 program. An applicant is eligible for a scholarship under the
10 program if the Commission finds that the applicant:
11         (1) is a United States citizen or permanent resident;
12         (2) is a resident of Illinois;
13         (3) is enrolled or accepted for enrollment on at least
14     a half-time basis in an approved program of professional or
15     practical nursing education at the graduate level at an
16     Illinois institution of higher learning.
17     (b) Scholarship recipients shall be selected from among
18 eligible applicants based on a combination of academic
19 excellence and financial need, as determined by the Commission.
20     (c) Preference may be given to previous recipients of a
21 scholarship under the program, provided that the recipient
22 continues to meet the eligibility requirements set forth in
23 this Section and maintains satisfactory academic progress as
24 determined by the institution of higher education at which he
25 or she is enrolled.
26     (d) Prior to receiving scholarship assistance for any
27 academic year, each recipient of a scholarship awarded under
28 the program must sign an agreement pledging that, within the
29 one-year period following the termination of the academic
30 program for which the recipient was awarded a scholarship, the
31 recipient shall (i) begin working as an educator in an approved
32 program of professional nursing education or an approved
33 program of practical nursing education in Illinois for a period
34 of not less than 5 years and (ii) upon request of the

 

 

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1 Commission, provide the Commission with evidence that he or she
2 is fulfilling or has fulfilled the terms of the work agreement
3 required under this subsection (d).
 
4     Section 15-25. Payment to institution. All scholarship
5 funds distributed under the program shall be paid to the
6 institution on behalf of the scholarship recipient.
 
7     Section 15-30. Repayment upon default; exception.
8     (a) If a recipient of a scholarship awarded under this
9 Section fails to fulfill the work agreement required under the
10 program, the Commission shall require the recipient to repay
11 the amount of the scholarship or scholarships received,
12 prorated according to the fraction of the work agreement not
13 completed, plus interest at a rate of 5% and, if applicable,
14 reasonable collection fees.
15     (b) Payments received by the Commission under this Section
16 shall be remitted to the State Comptroller for deposit into the
17 General Revenue Fund, except that that portion of a recipient's
18 repayment that equals the amount in expenses that the
19 Commission has reasonably incurred in attempting collection
20 from that recipient shall be remitted to the State Comptroller
21 for deposit into the Commission's Accounts Receivable Fund.
22     (c) A recipient of a scholarship awarded by the Commission
23 under the program shall not be in violation of the agreement
24 entered into pursuant to this Article if the recipient is (i)
25 serving as a member of the armed services of the United States,
26 (ii) temporarily totally disabled, as established by a sworn
27 affidavit of a qualified physician, (iii) seeking and unable to
28 find full-time employment as a nursing educator and is able to
29 provide evidence of that fact, or (iv) taking additional
30 courses, on at least a half-time basis, related to nursing
31 education. Any extension of the period during which the work
32 requirement must be fulfilled shall be subject to limitations
33 of duration established by the Commission.
 

 

 

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1
ARTICLE 90. AMENDATORY PROVISIONS.

 
2     Section 90-5. The Board of Higher Education Act is amended
3 by adding Sections 9.31 and 9.32 as follows:
 
4     (110 ILCS 205/9.31 new)
5     Sec. 9.31. Competitive grants to nursing schools. In order
6 to increase the number of nurses graduating from Illinois
7 institutions of higher learning, the Board shall establish and
8 administer a competitive grant program for institutions of
9 higher learning that award degrees in nursing. The grants may
10 be awarded on the basis of performance criteria that shall
11 include, but not be limited to, degree production, student
12 retention, and passage rates on professional licensure
13 examinations.
14     The Board shall adopt those rules that are necessary for
15 the implementation and administration of the grants
16 established under this Section.
 
17     (110 ILCS 205/9.32 new)
18     Sec. 9.32. Nurse educator fellowship program. In order to
19 ensure the retention of well-qualified nursing faculty, the
20 Board shall establish and administer a nurse educator
21 fellowship program that supplements nursing faculty salaries
22 at institutions of higher learning that award degrees in
23 nursing. Fellowships awarded under the program may be awarded
24 on a competitive basis.
25     The Board shall adopt those rules that are necessary for
26 the implementation and administration of the fellowship
27 program established under this Section.
 
28     Section 90-10. The Nursing Education Scholarship Law is
29 amended by changing Section 5 as follows:
 
30     (110 ILCS 975/5)  (from Ch. 144, par. 2755)
31     Sec. 5. Nursing education scholarships. Beginning with the

 

 

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1 fall term of the 2004-2005 academic year, the Department, in
2 accordance with rules and regulations promulgated by it for
3 this program, shall provide scholarships to individuals
4 selected from among those applicants who qualify for
5 consideration by showing:
6         (1) that he or she has been a resident of this State
7     for at least one year prior to application, and is a
8     citizen or a lawful permanent resident alien of the United
9     States;
10         (2) that he or she is enrolled in or accepted for
11     admission to an associate degree in nursing program,
12     hospital-based diploma in nursing program, baccalaureate
13     degree in nursing program, graduate degree in nursing
14     program, or practical nursing program at an approved
15     institution; and
16         (3) that he or she agrees to meet the nursing
17     employment obligation.
18     If in any year the number of qualified applicants exceeds
19 the number of scholarships to be awarded, the Department shall,
20 in consultation with the Center for Nursing Advisory Board,
21 consider the following factors in granting give priority in
22 awarding scholarships:
23             (A) Financial To students in the greatest
24         financial need, as shown on a standardized financial
25         needs assessment form used by an approved institution,
26         of students who will pursue their education on a
27         full-time or close closest to full-time basis and who
28         already have a certificate in practical nursing, a
29         diploma in nursing, or an associate degree in nursing
30         and are pursuing a higher degree.
31             (B) A student's status as a To registered nurse who
32         is nurses pursuing a graduate degree in nursing to
33         pursue employment in an approved institution that
34         educates licensed practical nurses and that educates
35         registered nurses in undergraduate and graduate
36         nursing programs.

 

 

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1             (C) A student's merit, as shown through his or her
2         grade point average, class rank, and other academic and
3         extracurricular activities. The Department may add to
4         and further define these merit criteria by rule.
5     Unless otherwise indicated, scholarships shall be awarded
6 to recipients at approved institutions for a period of up to 2
7 years if the recipient is enrolled in an associate degree in
8 nursing program, up to 3 years if the recipient is enrolled in
9 a hospital-based diploma in nursing program, up to 4 years if
10 the recipient is enrolled in a baccalaureate degree in nursing
11 program, up to 5 years if the recipient is enrolled in a
12 graduate degree in nursing program, and up to one year if the
13 recipient is enrolled in a certificate in practical nursing
14 program. At least 40% of the scholarships awarded shall be for
15 recipients who are pursuing baccalaureate degrees in nursing,
16 30% of the scholarships awarded shall be for recipients who are
17 pursuing associate degrees in nursing or a diploma in nursing,
18 10% of the scholarships awarded shall be for recipients who are
19 pursuing a certificate in practical nursing, and 20% of the
20 scholarships awarded shall be for recipients who are pursuing a
21 graduate degree in nursing.
22 (Source: P.A. 92-43, eff. 1-1-02; 93-879, eff. 1-1-05.)
 
23     Section 90-15. The Nursing and Advanced Practice Nursing
24 Act is amended by changing Section 10-10 and by adding Title 17
25 as follows:
 
26     (225 ILCS 65/10-10)
27     (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2008)
28     Sec. 10-10. Department powers and duties.
29     (a) The Department shall exercise the powers and duties
30 prescribed by the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois for
31 administration of licensing acts and shall exercise other
32 powers and duties necessary for effectuating the purpose of
33 this Act. None of the functions, powers, or duties of the
34 Department with respect to licensure and examination shall be

 

 

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1 exercised by the Department except upon review by the Board.
2 The Department shall adopt rules to implement, interpret, or
3 make specific the provisions and purposes of this Act; however
4 no such rules shall be adopted by the Department except upon
5 review by the Board.
6     (b) The Department shall:
7         (1) prepare and maintain a list of approved programs of
8     professional nursing education and programs of practical
9     nursing education in this State, whose graduates, if they
10     have the other necessary qualifications provided in this
11     Act, shall be eligible to apply for a license to practice
12     nursing in this State;
13         (2) promulgate rules defining what constitutes an
14     approved program of professional nursing education and
15     what constitutes an approved program of practical nursing
16     education; and
17         (3) adopt rules for examination of candidates for
18     licenses and for issuance of licenses authorizing
19     candidates upon passing an examination to practice under
20     this Act.
21     (c) The Department may act upon the recommendations of the
22 Center for Nursing Advisory Board.
23 (Source: P.A. 90-742, eff. 8-13-98.)
 
24     (225 ILCS 65/Tit. 17 heading new)
25     (Title heading scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2008)
26
TITLE 17. ILLINOIS CENTER FOR NURSING

 
27     (225 ILCS 65/17-5 new)
28     (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2008)
29     Sec. 17-5. Definitions. In this Title:
30     "Board" means the Center for Nursing Advisory Board.
31     "Center" means the Illinois Center for Nursing.
 
32     (225 ILCS 65/17-10 new)
33     (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2008)

 

 

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1     Sec. 17-10. Illinois Center for Nursing. There is created
2 the Illinois Center for Nursing to address issues of supply and
3 demand in the nursing profession, including issues of
4 recruitment, retention, and utilization of nurse manpower
5 resources. The General Assembly finds that the Center will
6 enhance the delivery of quality health care services by
7 providing an ongoing strategy for the allocation of the State's
8 resources directed towards nursing. Each of the following
9 objectives shall serve as the primary goals for the Center:
10         (1) To develop a strategic plan for nursing manpower in
11     Illinois by selecting priorities that must be addressed.
12         (2) To convene various groups of representatives of
13     nurses, other health care providers, businesses and
14     industries, consumers, legislators, and educators to:
15             (A) review and comment on data analysis prepared
16         for the Center;
17             (B) recommend systemic changes, including
18         strategies for implementation of recommended changes;
19         and
20             (C) evaluate and report the results of the Board's
21         efforts to the General Assembly and others.
22         (3) To enhance and promote recognition, reward, and
23     renewal activities for nurses in Illinois by:
24             (A) proposing and creating reward, recognition,
25         and renewal activities for nursing; and
26             (B) promoting media and positive image-building
27         efforts for nursing.
 
28     (225 ILCS 65/17-15 new)
29     (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2008)
30     Sec. 17-15. Center for Nursing Advisory Board.
31     (a) There is created the Center for Nursing Advisory Board,
32 which shall consist of 11 members appointed by the Governor,
33 with 6 members of the Board being nurses representative of
34 various nursing specialty areas. The other 5 members may
35 include representatives of associations, health care

 

 

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1 providers, nursing educators, and consumers. The Board shall be
2 chaired by the Nursing Act Coordinator, who shall be a voting
3 member of the Board.
4     (b) The membership of the Board shall reasonably reflect
5 representation from the geographic areas in this State.
6     (c) Members of the Board appointed by the Governor shall
7 serve for terms of 4 years, with no member serving more than 10
8 successive years, except that, initially, 4 members shall be
9 appointed to the Board for terms that expire on June 30, 2009,
10 4 members shall be appointed to the Board for terms that expire
11 on June 30, 2008, and 3 members shall be appointed to the Board
12 for terms that expire on June 30, 2007. A member shall serve
13 until his or her successor is appointed and has qualified.
14 Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as original
15 appointments, and any member so appointed shall serve during
16 the remainder of the term for which the vacancy occurred.
17     (d) A quorum of the Board shall consist of a majority of
18 Board members currently serving. A majority vote of the quorum
19 is required for Board decisions. A vacancy in the membership of
20 the Board shall not impair the right of a quorum to exercise
21 all of the rights and perform all of the duties of the Board.
22     (e) The Governor may remove any appointed member of the
23 Board for misconduct, incapacity, or neglect of duty and shall
24 be the sole judge of the sufficiency of the cause for removal.
25     (f) Members of the Board are immune from suit in any action
26 based upon any activities performed in good faith as members of
27 the Board.
28     (e) Members of the Board shall not receive compensation,
29 but shall be reimbursed for actual traveling, incidentals, and
30 expenses necessarily incurred in carrying out their duties as
31 members of the Board, as approved by the Department.
 
32     (225 ILCS 65/17-20 new)
33     (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2008)
34     Sec. 17-20. Powers and duties of the Board.
35     (a) The Board shall be advisory to the Department and shall

 

 

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1 possess and perform each of the following powers and duties:
2         (1) determine operational policy;
3         (2) administer grants, scholarships, internships, and
4     other programs, as defined by rule, including the
5     administration of programs, as determined by law, that
6     further those goals set forth in Section 17-10 of this
7     Title, in consultation with other State agencies, as
8     provided by law;
9         (3) establish committees of the Board as needed;
10         (4) recommend the adoption and, from time to time, the
11     revision of those rules that may be adopted and necessary
12     to carry out the provisions of this Act;
13         (5) implement the major functions of the Center, as
14     established in the goals set forth in Section 17-10 of this
15     Title; and
16         (6) seek and accept non-State funds for carrying out
17     the policy of the Center.
18     (b) The Center shall work in consultation with other State
19 agencies as necessary.
 
20
ARTICLE 99. EFFECTIVE DATE.

 
21     Section 99-99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
22 becoming law.