HB541: HB541 Education; tuition equalization grants; expand definition of an approved school to include certain institutions which offer programs in nursing

26 LC 61 0388S/AP House Bill 541 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE) By: Representatives Dempsey of the 13th, Cooper of the 45th, Taylor of the 173rd, Prince of the 132nd, and Hawkins of the 27th A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Code Section 20-3-411 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to1 definitions regarding tuition equalization grants at private colleges and universities, so as to2 expand the definition of an approved school to include certain institutions which offer3 programs in nursing; to provide for related matters; to provide for legislative intent; to repeal4 conflicting laws; and for other purposes.5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:6 SECTION 1.7 WHEREAS, the General Assembly is committed to addressing the he althcare workforce8 shortage in Georgia, which includes having a sufficient number of high-quality nurses; and9 WHEREAS, to increase the number of high-quality nurses in Georg ia, crucial elements10 include providing financial assistance and removing impediments to practicing nursing.11 H. B. 541 - 1 - 26 LC 61 0388S/AP SECTION 2.12 Code Section 20-3-411 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated , relating to definitions13 regarding tuition equalization grants at private colleges and u niversities, is amended by14 revising paragraph (2) as follows:15 "(2) 'Approved school' means:16 (A) A nonproprietary institution of higher education located in this state which is not17 a branch of the university system; which is not a four-year or graduate level institution18 of higher education that is, or is a part of, a college or university system that is owned19 and operated by a state other than Georgia; which is accredited by the Southern20 Association of Colleges and Schools; which is not a graduate level school or college of21 theology or divinity; and which is not presently receiving stat e funds under Article 422 of this chapter; provided, how ever, that an institution which o therwise meets the23 requirements of this definition and of this subpart except for the lack of accreditation24 by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools shall be de emed to be an25 'approved school' during the period that the institution holds candidate for accreditation26 status with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; provided, further, that27 an institution which otherwise meets the requirements of this d efinition and of this28 subpart except for the lack of accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and29 Schools shall be deemed to be an 'approved school' if such institution was previously30 an 'approved school' under division (iii) (iv) of subparagraph (B) of this paragraph31 within the last five years; provided, further, that an institut ion which was previously32 accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools within the last seven33 years and which otherwise meets the requirements of this definition and of this subpart34 except for the lack of accreditation by the Southern Associatio n of Colleges and35 Schools shall be deemed to be an 'approved school'; and36 (B)(i) A qualified proprietary institution of higher education located in this state37 which is a baccalaureate degree-granting institution of higher education; which is38 H. B. 541 - 2 - 26 LC 61 0388S/AP accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on39 Colleges as a Level VI institution; which is not a Bible school or college (or, at the40 graduate level, a school or college of theology or divinity); which admits as regular41 students only persons who have a high school diploma, a state approved high school42 equivalency (HSE) diploma, or a degree from an accredited postsecondary institution;43 whose students are eligible to participate in the federal Pell Grant program; which has44 been reviewed and approved for operation and for receipt of tuition equalization grant45 funds by the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commissi on; which is46 domiciled and incorporated in the State of Georgia; which has b een located in this47 state since on or before January 1, 2021; and which met all of the requirements of this48 subparagraph by January 1, 2021; provided, however, that the criteria for approval for49 receipt of tuition equalization grant funds shall include but not be limited to areas of50 course study; quality of academic instruction; student placemen t rate; research and51 library resources; faculty; support staff; financial resources; instructional campuses,52 facilities, or other physical sites; and support and equipment resources.53 (ii) A qualified proprietary institution of higher education located in this state which54 is a baccalaureate degree-granting institution offering a baccalaureate degree program55 or programs in nursing; which is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges56 and Schools or by the Higher Learning Commission; which is accr edited by the57 Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; which has a Nationa l Council58 Licensure Examination four-year average passage rate of at least 80 percent; which59 is not a Bible school or college (or, at the graduate level, a school or college of60 theology or divinity); which admits as regular students only persons who have a high61 school diploma, a state approved high school equivalency (HSE) diploma, or a degree62 from an accredited postsecondary institution; whose students are eligible to participate63 in the federal Pell Grant program; which has been reviewed and approved for64 operation and for receipt of tuition equalization grant funds by the Georgia Nonpublic65 H. B. 541 - 3 - 26 LC 61 0388S/AP Postsecondary Education Commission; which has at least one instructional campus66 that has been physically located in the State of Georgia for at least ten years, as of67 June 30, 2025; provided, however, that only such institution's baccalaureate degree68 program or programs in nursing shall be deemed an approved school for the purposes69 of this subpart; and provided, further, that, notwithstanding a ny provision to the70 contrary in Code Section 20-2-161.3 or subparagraph (D) of paragraph (7) of Code71 Section 20-3-519, an institution or program that is deemed an a pproved school72 pursuant to this division shall not be deemed an eligible postsecondary institution, as73 defined in Code Section 20-3-519, or for purposes of the Dual E nrollment Act, as74 provided for in Code Section 20-2-161.3, or for any other scholarship, loan, or grant75 program provided for in this article, including HOPE scholarships and grants.76 (ii)(iii) Any proprietary institution that is otherwise qualified pursuant to division (i)77 of this subparagraph on July 1, 1995, shall be deemed to be eli gible for receipt of78 tuition equalization grant funds subject, however, to any subsequent review of such79 approval pursuant to any proper regulations which may thereafte r be adopted in80 accordance with paragraph (10) of subsection (b) of Code Sectio n 20-3-250.581 applicable to all qualified proprietary institutions.82 (iii)(iv) Any proprietary institution of higher education that is other wise qualified83 pursuant to division (i) of this subparagraph on January 1, 2011, shall continue to be84 an approved school pursuant to this paragraph as long as it con tinues to meet the85 requirements of division (i) of this subparagraph as such existed on March 14, 2011."86 SECTION 3.87 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.88 H. 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