2025 SESSION

ENGROSSED

25104272D

HOUSE BILL NO. 2548

House Amendments in [ ] - February 3, 2025

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 2 of Chapter 9 of Title 23.1 a section numbered 23.1-903.5, relating to certain practical nursing programs; common curriculum; transferability to registered nursing programs; pathway of stackable credentials.

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Patron Prior to Engrossment—Delegate Rasoul

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Referred to Committee on Education

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 2 of Chapter 9 of Title 23.1 a section numbered 23.1-903.5 as follows:

§ 23.1-903.5. Certain practical nursing programs; common curriculum; transferability to registered nursing programs; pathway of stackable credentials.

A. The System, in consultation with the Council, the Board of Nursing, and representatives from associate-degree-granting public institutions of higher education that offer nursing programs, shall develop a common curriculum for practical nursing programs that shall be implemented at each comprehensive community college in the System that offers a practical nursing program. Such common curriculum shall, to the extent possible, (i) align with the degree requirements for registered nursing programs offered at associate-degree-granting public institutions of higher education and (ii) be transferable to each registered nursing program offered at an associate-degree-granting public institution of higher education.

B. Each associate-degree-granting public institution of higher education that offers a registered nursing degree program shall participate in a practical nursing program to registered nursing program transfer agreement with the System that aligns with the practical nursing program common curriculum established pursuant to this section. Any [ public institution of higher education that offers a nursing program or ] private institution of higher education that offers a registered nursing degree program may also be consulted regarding and participate on a voluntary basis in such a transfer agreement.

C. In addition to the common curriculum established pursuant to subsection A and the transfer agreement established pursuant to subsection B, the System [ , the Council, and each baccalaureate public institution of higher education that offers a nursing program ] shall establish a pathway of stackable nursing credentials that consists of a practical nursing to associate registered nursing to bachelor of science in nursing program pathway.

[ 2. That the Virginia Community College System shall develop the common curriculum for practical nursing programs as required pursuant to subsection A of § 23.1-905.1 of the Code of Virginia, as created by this act, no later than July 1, 2026. ]