Bill No.: SF0023                  Drafter:  JWL

LSO No.:  09LSO-0245              Effective Date:  3/2/2009

Enrolled Act No.:  SEA0042

Chapter No.:       111

Prime Sponsor:     Senator Massie

Catch Title:  Accelerated nursing degree loan repayment program.

Subject:  Creates accelerated RN degree and loan repayment program.

Summary/Major Elements:  This act:

· Creates a new program at the University of Wyoming to grant bachelor of science in nursing degrees to persons who have another bachelor's degree;

· Creates a special account for the accelerated nursing degree program to be operated by the University;

· Requires that students enrolling in the program have a baccalaureate degree in a field other than nursing and be approved by the president and the board of nursing;

· Provides up to $25,000/year/student in financial aid;

· Requires students to work as a registered nurse in Wyoming for two years following graduation or to repay the financial aid, except in cases of hardship as determined by the president and board of trustees;

· Authorizes loan deferral during military service.

Comments:

· Creates the accelerated baccalaureate nursing degree program.

· Reappropriates $250,000 general funds from the Wyoming investment in nursing program to the University for loans to up to six nursing students per class cohort.

· Requires annual report by Oct. 1 from UW to the joint labor, health and social services interim committee regarding repayment waivers and expenditures from the accelerated nursing special account.