78045.
(a) Notwithstanding Section 66010.4, the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges shall develop a Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing Pilot Program that authorizes select community college districts to offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.(b) (1) The pilot program shall be limited to 10 community college districts statewide. The chancellor shall identify eligible community college districts based on at least two of the following criteria:
(A) Community college districts that demonstrate equitable access to the pilot program, with a particular focus on regions showing a need for healthcare professionals. This includes regions with a projected significant growth rate above 7 percent over the years 2025 to 2030, inclusive, and regions encompassing northern, central, and southern parts of the state.
(B) Priority is given to community college districts that are located in broadly recognized underserved nursing areas.
(C) Priority is given to community college districts where the service area of the community college district includes communities with persistent poverty.
(2) The total number of participants in a pilot program at a community college district shall be limited to 25 percent of the community college district’s associate degree in nursing class size. For community college districts located in persistent poverty communities this limit may be increased to up to 75 percent of the community college district’s associate degree in nursing class size.
(c) (1) The Legislative Analyst’s Office shall conduct an evaluation of the pilot program on or before January 1, 2030, to determine the effectiveness of the program and the need to continue or expand the program.
(2) The results of the evaluation shall be submitted to the Legislature in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
(d) This article shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2031, and as of that date is repealed.