What's happening
This bill allows New York community colleges with associate nursing degrees to offer four-year bachelor's degree programs in nursing.
Why it matters
Increases Access to BSN Degrees. By allowing community colleges to offer four-year nursing degrees, the bill could make it easier and more affordable for students, especially those in underserved or rural areas, to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
Addresses Nursing Shortages. Expanding where BSN programs are available may help New York address ongoing nursing shortages by producing more qualified nurses, which is important for hospitals and healthcare providers facing workforce challenges.
Creates New Educational Pathways. Community colleges are typically more accessible (lower tuition, flexible admissions) than four-year institutions, so this change could open up new opportunities for nontraditional students, working adults, and those balancing family responsibilities.
Potential Impact on Higher Education Structure. The bill could shift the role of community colleges in the state’s higher education system, possibly prompting changes in funding, accreditation, and relationships with four-year institutions.
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Who cares
Community colleges with associate degree nursing programs
The bill would authorize them to offer four-year bachelor's degree programs in nursing despite conflicting laws, rules or regulations.
Prospective nursing students
They could pursue a four-year nursing degree at eligible community colleges that choose to offer one.
Community college nursing faculty and administrators
They would have the option to develop bachelor's degree nursing programs at colleges that already offer associate degrees in nursing.
Headline styles
Let Community Colleges Grant BSN
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to higher education
- Referred to higher education
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2849
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 25, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. PRETLOW -- read once and referred to the Committee on Higher Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to authorizing community colleges offering an associates degree program in nursing to offer a four-year bachelors degree program in nursing
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 6303 of the education law is amended by adding a new subdivision 6 to read as follows:
6. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other general, special or local law, rule or regulation, community colleges offering an associates degree program in nursing may offer a four-year bachelors degree program in nursing.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04545-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.