Senate Bill S3404

                                 BILL NUMBER:  S3404

 TITLE OF BILL :
An act to amend the education law, in relation to practical nursing
training at private schools


 PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL :
To authorize the State Education Department to register or approve
licensed practical nursing programs offered at private schools
licensed pursuant to Article 101 ofthe Education Law.

 SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS :
This bill amends Subdivision 4 of section 6507 of the education law by
adding a nwe paragraph a-1 authorizing the State Education Department
to register or approve licensed practical nursing programs offered at
private schools licensed pursuant to Article 101 of the Education Law.

 JUSTIFICATION :
The shortage of licensed practical nurses has been reiterated recently
by the Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS). It noted,
additionally, that New York's nursing schools are forced to turn away
thousands of applicants each year due to a lack of faculty,
facilities, or resources. This Legislation would allow private schools
licensed pursuant to Article 101 of the Education Law to offer
practical nurse programs leading to professional licensure as a LPN.
              

Throughout the United States, licensed private schools are allow to
offer LPN programs.  California, Florida, Virginia, and closer to
home, New Jersey and Connecticut, all allow licensed private schools
to offer the LPN program. Students from New York State are enrolling
in and graduating from programs in neighboring states, then returning
to be approved for licenses in New York State. At least one New Jersey
licensed private school advertises on-line for its "NYLPN" program.
New York private schools that are licensed under Article 10 1 have not
been registered to offer LPN training. These are schools that have
successfully offered training for Certified Nurse Assistants, Home
Health Aides, Medical Assistants, Patient Care Technicians, Diagnostic
Radiography and other health-care related fields. New York schools are
losing opportunities to school operators outside the state, with
commensurate loss of tax revenue to New York State. New York students
are being denied the opportunity to take these courses nearer home.
The legislation would allow registration or approval by the State
Education Department's Office of Professions, but would otherwise
treat all aspects of these schools and programs within the provisions
and protections of Article 101 of the Education Law, except curriculum
approval and teacher licensing subject to approval by the Office of
Professions.

 PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :
New Bill.

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :
None.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect immediately.