Senate Bill 7016 (2024) amended section 1009.8962, Florida Statutes so that additional postsecondary institutions, such as independent schools, colleges, and universities licensed by the Commission for Independent Education ....

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

State Board of Education

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6A-10.0352Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) Fund

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: Senate Bill 7016 (2024) amended section 1009.8962, Florida Statutes so that additional postsecondary institutions, such as independent schools, colleges, and universities licensed by the Commission for Independent Education (CIE), may participate in the Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) Fund as long as they meet the outlined accreditation requirements and meet CIE’s licensing requirements. Senate Bill 7016 also increased the required passage rate for the licensing examination for licensed practical nursing (LPN) programs and for associate and bachelor of science nursing programs and established a minimum number of test takers. Therefore, current rule language will be updated to reflect these changes. Additional changes to the disbursement requirements will also be considered.

SUMMARY: Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) Fund qualifications and disbursements

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: This proposed rule is not expected to have any adverse impact on economic growth, business competitiveness or any other factors listed in s. 120.541(2)(a), F.S., and will not require legislative ratification. No increase in regulatory costs are anticipated as a result of this rule. This is based upon the nature of the proposed rule.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 1001.02(1), (2)(n), 1009.8962(10), F.S.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1009.8962, F.S.

A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:

DATE AND TIME: May 29, 2024, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus, 254 N.E. 4th St., Building 3, Chapman Conference Room 3210, Miami, FL 33132.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Clifford Humphrey, Executive Vice Chancellor, Division of Florida Colleges

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

6A-10.0352 Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) Fund.

(1) No change.

(2) Definitions.

(a) through (b) No change.

(c) “Institution” means a school district career center under Section 1001.44, F.S., a charter technical career center under Section 1002.34, F.S., a Florida College System institution, or an independent nonprofit college or university located and chartered in this state and accredited by an agency or association that is recognized by the database created and maintained by the United States Department of Education to grant baccalaureate degrees, or an independent school, college, or university with an accredited program as defined in Section 464.003, F.S., which is located in this state and licensed by the Commission for Independent Education pursuant to Section 1005.31, F.S., which has a nursing education program that meets or exceeds the following:

1. No change.

2. For a licensed practical nurse, associate of science in nursing, and bachelor of science in nursing program, a first-time passage rate on the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Licensing Examination of at least seventy-five (75) seventy (70) percent for the prior year based on a minimum of ten (10) testing participants.

(d) No change.

(e) “Eligible purpose” means student scholarships, recruitment of additional faculty, equipment, and simulation centers. Construction of new facilities is are not considered eligible.

(f) through (g) No Change.

(3) through (6) No Change.

(6) Award Notice. The Department will award grant funding on a dollar-to-dollar basis, subject to available funds, to eligible institutions based on subsections (4) and (5). The Department will notify institutions of the approved proposals and award amounts.

(7) Disbursements. Prior to the release of funds to an institution that has been awarded LINE funds, the institution must provide to the Department documentation of the health care partner providing the cash contribution to the institution. Acceptable documentation includes financial statements, bank statements, budget reports, or bank letters that show the cash transaction(s). Funds will be released in accordance with the General Appropriations Act or, on no more frequently than on a quarterly basis.

(8) Required Reporting. Annually, by February 1, institutions that were awarded LINE funds in the previous fiscal year must report to the Department all information required by Section 1009.896(9)(b), F.S. Minimally, the report must include, by program level, the number of additional nursing education students enrolled; if scholarships were awarded using grant funds, the number of students who received scholarships and the average award amount; and the outcomes of students as reported by the Office of Reimagining Education and Career Help pursuant to Section 14.36(3)(1),Florida Talent Development Council pursuant to Section 1004.015(6), F.S. No later than thirty (30) days before the submission deadline, the Department will release guidelines for institutions to transmit an electronic file to meet this requirement.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02(1), (2)(n), 1009.8962(10) FS. Law Implemented 1009.8962 FS. History‒New 9-20-22, Amended 9-26-23,

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Clifford Humphrey, Executive Vice Chancellor

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Manny Diaz Jr., Commissioner, Department of Education

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: May 01, 2024

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: April 10, 2024