HB1531

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that numerous studies have recognized a national shortage of qualified nurses that will reach a twenty per cent staffing shortfall by the year 2020. In 2006, Hawaii experienced a shortage of 960 registered nurses that is estimated to grow to 2,220 by 2016 and 2,670 by 2020. A nursing shortage jeopardizes the quality of health care provided in hospitals, nursing homes, hospices, clinics, and other health care settings. Without enough registered nurses, patient safety is at risk with rural and underserved communities being most affected.

The nursing shortage is exacerbated by the aging population that is steadily increasing. Hawaii's population is aging faster than the rest of the country. Between 2000 and 2020, the number of people aged sixty and older will increase by almost seventy-five per cent. Hawaii's registered nurse workforce is also aging, with an increasing number of registered nurses soon to retire. Estimates indicate that by 2015, thirty-one per cent of Hawaii's current registered nurse workforce will retire. By 2020, sixty-one per cent of Hawaii's current workforce will retire. The already significant shortage of registered nurses will worsen.

The legislature finds that the key to promoting health in Hawaii lies in efforts to increase the educational capacity of the State's nursing programs, which are hampered by the number of faculty and support positions that limit the admission of additional students and by inadequate facilities. Increasing faculty training and nursing graduates requires a minimum of two to five years. Adding teaching staff would allow additional students to be admitted and expand learning resource opportunities to satisfy growing student demands. The legislature finds that an ongoing and strategic public sector approach is necessary to sustain a robust, qualified nursing workforce to meet Hawaii's health care needs into the future.

The legislature agrees with the University of Hawaii's statewide nursing consortium commitment to maximize the State's investment in nursing education, without unnecessary duplication among the various campuses. The legislature recognizes that the University of Hawaii plays a vital role in nursing workforce development in Hawaii.

The purpose of this Act is to make appropriations to the University of Hawaii to hire more nursing faculty and support positions, provide nursing scholarships and loans, and increase facilities.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $4,260,508, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009, for the University of Hawaii to hire additional nursing personnel for the various campuses, as follows:

(1) School of nursing and dental hygiene, University of Hawaii at Manoa: faculty, program, and student services program support to expand Manoa nursing courses to the leeward-side (at Leeward community college) and to develop an innovative course of study providing a second career master's program:

18 positions (2007-2008) $2,000,000

18 positions (2008-2009) $2,000,000

(2) Kapiolani community college: faculty and student services program support to expand enrollment:

4 positions (2007-2008) $263,888

10 positions (2008-2009) $749,272

(3) Hawaii community college: faculty and student services program support to expand enrollment:

5 positions (2007-2008) $342,750

2 positions (2008-2009) $186,308

(4) Maui community college: Faculty and student services program support to expand enrollment:

8.5 positions (2007-2008) $606,625

8.5 positions (2008-2009) $606,625

(5) Kauai community college: Faculty and student services program support to expand enrollment:

5 positions (2007-2008) $365,875

10 positions (2008-2009) $749,272

(6) University of Hawaii at Hilo: Faculty and student services program support to expand enrollment:

6 positions (2007-2008) $436,400

2.5 positions (2008-2009) $214,000

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $100,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009, for the University of Hawaii to create a graduate nursing faculty loan program with loan forgiveness for those who work as faculty in the State of Hawaii after graduation; provided that to be eligible for the graduate nursing faculty loan:

(1) The individual shall be a Hawaii resident and enrolled at a University of Hawaii nursing program as a full or part-time student in a master of science in nursing program;

(2) The program shall allow loan forgiveness of $5,000 a year for up to five years; and

(3) For every year of loan forgiveness, the recipient shall work for one year as a nurse educator at the University of Hawaii.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $500,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009, for the University of Hawaii to create a nursing student scholarship program; provided that to be eligible for the nursing student scholarship program:

(1) The individual shall be enrolled as a full or part-time student in a University of Hawaii associate, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree nursing program; and

(2) Need and merit, such as class rank, grade point average, and service activities, shall be considered in selecting recipients.

SECTION 5. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $750,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009, for the University of Hawaii at Manoa school of nursing and dental hygiene to:

(1) Conduct facility planning and development and tasks necessary to expand the school's physical facility to provide optimal educational experiences;

(2) Enable students to participate in cross disciplinary education with other students in the health sciences; and

(3) Provide temporary classrooms for all nursing programs.

SECTION 6. The sums appropriated in this Act shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1531
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII