BILL ANALYSIS
AB 2385
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ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 2385 (John A. Perez)
As Amended June 1, 2010
Majority vote
HIGHER EDUCATION 9-0 APPROPRIATIONS 12-5
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|Ayes:|Block, Norby, Adams, |Ayes:|Fuentes, Ammiano, |
| |Chesbro, Fong, Fuller, | |Bradford, |
| |Galgiani, Portantino, | |Charles Calderon, Coto, |
| |Ruskin | |Davis, Monning, Ruskin, |
| | | |Skinner, Solorio, |
| | | |Torlakson, Torrico |
| | | | |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
| | |Nays:|Conway, Harkey, Miller, |
| | | |Nielsen, Norby |
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SUMMARY : Establishes the Pilot Program for Innovative Nursing
and Allied Health Care Profession Education at the California
Community Colleges (Pilot Program) within the California
Community Colleges (CCC) Chancellor's Office (CCCCO) to
facilitate innovation in allied health and nursing educational
program delivery. Specifically, this bill :
1)Requires the CCCCO to establish Pilot Programs at up to five
CCCs throughout the state.
2)Requires the Pilot Program to test innovative program delivery
models through the use of tools such as technology, flexible
scheduling, and appropriate fees, to expand the capacity of
CCCs to offer health care training programs for students in
fields where there is a substantial labor market demand.
3)Requires the CCCCO to pursue a variety of funding sources for
the Pilot Program.
4)Requires, contingent upon the CCCCO obtaining adequate
resources, the CCCCO to develop, in consultation with outlined
representatives, a request for application for CCCs to
participate in the Pilot Programs in certified allied health
care or nursing programs, commencing on or after the 2011-2012
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academic year and requires the CCCCO to specify baseline
funding provided for Pilot Programs based upon funding
received by the CCCCO.
5)Requires the CCCCO to select Pilot Programs that provide
certified training, demonstrate current limited capacity or
the need to expand programs, provide evidence of adequate
clinical educational sites, include high quality curriculum,
provide flexibility in course scheduling, offer coordinate
student support services, and identify financial resources.
Requires the CCCCO to the extent possible to select Pilot
Programs that are geographically distributed throughout the
state.
6)Provides Legislative intent that the Pilot Programs attract a
diverse and talented pool of students and provides that Pilot
Program campuses may use the diagnostic assessment tool
identified by the CCCCO and allows impacted Pilot Programs to
administer the multicriteria screening process established in
existing law.
7)Requires that Pilot Program participants are provided with
various student support services, including advisors, tutors,
mentors, financial assistance, and internships.
8)Authorizes CCC campuses to charge a supplemental fee to
students participating in the Pilot Programs, but provides
that student fees shall not offset state apportionment
funding. Requires CCC campuses that collect supplemental fees
for Pilot Programs to make all reasonable efforts to ensure
that state and federal financial aid is available to eligible
students.
9)Requires the CCCCO to collect and analyze Pilot Program data
and report findings and recommendations related to the
effectiveness of the Pilot Program by January 1, 2017.
10)Repeals all of the aforementioned provisions on January 1,
2018.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee, assuming costs ranging from $350,000 to $500,000 per
participating college, annual costs for five programs would
total $1.75 million to $2.5 million for the five years of the
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pilot, presumably from a combination of private funds, federal
funds, General Fund (Prop. 98), and student fees. The
Chancellor's Office would require one position for the first two
years to start-up the pilot program.
COMMENTS : Background: According to the 2007 Health Workforce
Solutions report Closing the Health Workforce Gap in California,
the allied health workforce represents more than 60 percent of
the health jobs in California and more than 200 different
occupations. Recent employment numbers available from
California Labor Market Information Division and Federal Bureau
of Labor Statistics show California has only has 73% of the
pharmacists, 65% of the Medical Lab Technologists, and 62% of
the Radiation Technologists and Technicians of the national
average per 100,000 people. The California Employment
Development Department projects that the state will need
approximately 240,000 RNs by 2014. However, in recent months
several news articles have identified newly graduated nurses
finding it difficult to secure employment. Articles pointed to
the economic downturn forcing veteran nurses to stay in their
jobs longer, and some retired nurses to return to work.
Purpose of this bill: The author notes that the CCC system
offers educational programs in a variety of allied health care
professions and trains approximately 70% of registered nurses
statewide. Allied health care educational programs are among
the most costly programs offered by CCCs and in recent years
have been subject to deep state budget cuts. CCCs have been
forced to limit their enrollment capacity. CCC campuses are
struggling to keep pace with program demand. Currently most
associate degree nursing and allied health care profession
courses are offered over two academic years and require the
completion of 70 units in program courses, assuming that the
student has met all of the prerequisite requirements and is
ready to start the program. The author believes that a
successful program could be a center of innovation and testing
for the newest educational technology and curricular ideas.
Analysis Prepared by : Laura Metune / HIGHER ED. / (916)
319-3960
FN: 0004771
AB 2385
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