HB1592 Summary

• Allows Community College District No. 508 (Malcolm X College) and Community College District No. 536 (Lewis and Clark Community College) to establish baccalaureate-level nursing programs conferring a bachelor of science degree in nursing (RN to BSN completion programs).

• Requires boards of trustees to demonstrate unmet workforce needs, maintain accreditation or apply for nursing accreditation, maintain an associate degree in nursing program, and prioritize outreach and enrollment for minority and bilingual populations.

• Mandates boards of trustees to document adequate faculty qualifications, curriculum quality aligned with federal and state requirements, and sufficient fiscal resources to support the program.

• Requires the Illinois Community College Board to conduct a statewide evaluation of the nursing program and report results by July 1, 2023 to the Board of Higher Education, legislative leaders, and the Governor's Office of Management and Budget.

• Prohibits the community college districts from using semester credit hours generated in the baccalaureate degree programs to calculate grants received under Section 2-16.02 of the Public Community College Act.