HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

599

TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO HEALTH.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that there are not enough physicians to support Hawaii's current and future medical needs.  According to the University of Hawaii medical school's Hawaiian physician workforce assessment project, in 2013, Hawaii needed seven hundred forty-two more physicians.  The demand for physicians continues to increase because of population growth and an aging population.  Each year, Hawaii has a projected net loss of fifty physicians.  By 2020, the current shortfall could expand to a shortage of one thousand four hundred physicians.

     The legislature further finds that nursing students attending a graduate degree program obtain advanced nursing skills that have the potential to lessen the need for physicians.  For example, advanced practice registered nurses, recognized pursuant to section 457-8.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, are able to perform many functions that physicians perform.  These functions may include but are not limited to advanced assessment and the diagnosis, prescription, selection, and administration of therapeutic measures including over the counter drugs, legend drugs, and controlled substances.

     Accordingly, in order to mitigate the increasing need for physicians, the legislature finds that it is appropriate to ameliorate Hawaii's rising medical demands by creating a larger pool of nurses with a graduate degree in nursing.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish a pilot program to provide tuition waivers within the nursing scholars program to meet Hawaii's medical needs.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 304A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§304A-     Nursing scholars program special fund.  There is created in the state treasury the nursing scholars program special fund.  The fund shall consist of all moneys appropriated to the fund by the legislature and any gifts, grants, and donations made to the nursing scholars program established under section 304A-3302.

     Moneys in the special fund shall be used to finance scholarship grants and tuition waivers under the nursing scholars program."

SECTION 3.  Section 304A-3302, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended as follows:

1.  By amending subsection (b) to read:

     "(b)  [The] Under the nursing scholars program, the University of Hawaii may provide scholarship grants [under the scholarship program to an] and tuition waivers for eligible [student] students who [is a resident in] are residents of this State upon confirmation from an approved educational institution that [the] a student has been accepted for enrollment in an approved graduate course of study.  Awarding preference shall be given to Hawaii residents.  Scholarship grants shall only be for the amounts set forth in section [[]304A-3303(a)[]] and shall only be used for the cost of tuition, books, laboratory fees, and any other required educational fees and [costs.] expenses."

     2.  By amending subsections (d), (e), (f), (g), and (h) to read:

     "(d)  To receive a scholarship grant or tuition waiver under this chapter, a student shall:

     (1)  Have graduated from a recognized nursing program with a bachelor of science in nursing;

     (2)  Maintain domicile in Hawaii during the term of the scholarship grants[;] or tuition waivers;

     (3)  Comply with any conditions placed on the scholarship grant or tuition waiver by the University of Hawaii;

     (4)  Maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, on a scale of 4.0 or its equivalent; and

     (5)  Enter into a written agreement with the University of Hawaii to:

         (A)  Satisfy all degree requirements and other requirements under this program;

         (B)  [Commence] For the scholarship grants program, commence nursing instruction in this State within one year after completion of an approved graduate degree in nursing for a period of one year for each academic year the student received a master's or doctoral degree, for a period of one year for each academic year the student receives a scholarship grant under this program, unless or the University of Hawaii determines that there are extenuating circumstances; [and]

          (C)  For the tuition waiver program, commence nursing practice for a period of not less than five consecutive years in this State within one year after completion of an approved graduate degree in nursing; and

     [(C)] (D) Reimburse the State for all amounts received under this program and interest thereon, as determined by the University of Hawaii, if the student fails to comply with this subsection.

     (e)  A student applying for the [scholarship] nursing scholars program shall apply to the University of Hawaii and include all information and documentation required by the University of Hawaii.  The application shall include a verified statement of grade point average from the appropriate approved educational institution.

     (f)  The teaching requirement under subsection (d)(5)(B) shall begin after the receipt of the master's or doctoral degree.  If a student terminates enrollment in the approved educational institution during the academic year or prior to completion of the approved graduate course of study and is eligible to have all or a portion of the tuition payments refunded under the refund policies of the institution, the approved educational institution shall notify the University of Hawaii in writing and shall return all unused portions of the scholarship grant.  Returned amounts shall be used to fund other scholarship grants and tuition waivers under this program.

     (g)  A scholarship grant or tuition waiver under this program is only transferable to another approved educational institution if approved by the University of Hawaii.

     (h)  Scholarship grants awarded under the program shall be limited to funds appropriated for the purpose of awarding grants or funds otherwise matched by external entities.

     Tuition waivers under the program shall be limited to amounts appropriated by the legislature or any other source approved by the University of Hawaii.

     First priority for [scholarship grant awards] the program shall be to renewal applicants."

SECTION 4.  Section 304A-3303, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "[[]§304A-3303][]]  Scholarships; tuition waivers; nursing degree programs.  (a)  The University of Hawaii shall award a scholarship grant in an amount up to $10,000 per academic year to a student enrolled full-time in an approved educational institution pursuing a graduate degree in nursing through an approved course of study.

     (b)  The University of Hawaii shall provide ten tuition waivers each academic year to students enrolled full-time in an approved educational institution pursuing a graduate degree in nursing through an approved course of study based on need, merit, or both.  The University of Hawaii shall determine other terms and conditions with respect to the award of tuition waivers, as necessary.

     [(b)] (c)  The scholarship grant shall be for a maximum of three academic years if the student is enrolled in a master's degree program, or a maximum of four academic years if the student is enrolled in a doctoral program.  To qualify for renewals beyond three years, the student shall comply with the requirements of section [[]304A-3302(d)[]], and the University of Hawaii shall determine that the student is making satisfactory progress toward completing a master's or doctoral degree."

     SECTION 5.  Section 304A-3304, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "[[]§304A-3304[]]  Program administration.  (a)  The University of Hawaii shall monitor and verify a student's fulfillment of all requirements for a scholarship grant or tuition waiver under this program.

     (b)  The University of Hawaii may enter into a contract with a private or public entity to administer the program.

     (c)  The University of Hawaii shall enforce repayment of all scholarship grants [if] and all other provisions of this subpart for a student who does not comply with the requirements of the [scholarship grant.] program.  Enforcement shall include the use of all lawful collection procedures, including private collection agencies.

     (d)  Scholarship grants or tuition waivers received by a student under the program shall not be considered taxable income under chapter 235.

     (e)  Scholarship grants or tuition waivers received by a student under the program shall not be considered financial assistance or appropriations to the approved educational institution.

     (f)  Any person who knowingly or intentionally procures, obtains, or aids another to procure or obtain a scholarship grant or tuition waiver under the program through fraudulent means shall be disqualified from participation in the program and shall be liable to the University of Hawaii for an amount equal to three times the amount obtained.

     (g)  The University of Hawaii may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 to effectuate this subpart."

SECTION 6.  Section 304A-3305, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "[[]§304A-3305[]]  Annual report.  (a)  The University of Hawaii shall publish [a] an annual report by September 1[, 2006, and] of every year [thereafter].  The report shall include information regarding the operation of the program, including:

     (1)  The total number of students receiving nursing scholarship grants[;] and tuition waivers;

     (2)  The total amount of scholarship grants and tuition waivers awarded;

     (3)  The number of full-time and part-time graduate students receiving scholarship grants[,] and tuition waivers, reported according to institution of enrollment;

     (4)  The amount of scholarship grants and tuition waivers awarded to graduate students, reported according to institution of enrollment; and

     (5)  The total number of graduate students who withdraw from the program.

     (b)  The annual report shall be submitted to the governor and the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session."

     SECTION 7.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2015-2016 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 to be deposited into the nursing scholars program special fund.

     SECTION 8.  There is appropriated out of the nursing scholars program special fund the sum of $        or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2015-2016 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 for the nursing scholars program under chapter 304A, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 9.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $         or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2015-2016 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 for support staff for the school of nursing and dental hygiene to carry out the purposes of this Act.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 10.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 11.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2015, and shall be repealed on June 30, 2018; provided that sections 304A-3302, 304A-3303, 304A-3304, and 304A-3305, Hawaii Revised Statutes, shall be reenacted in the form in which those sections existed on the day prior to the effective date of this Act.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Nursing Scholars Program; Tuition Waiver; Appropriation

 

Description:

Establishes a tuition waiver program within the nursing scholars program administered by UH.  Appropriates moneys.

 

 

 

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