HR 2536 IHCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To provide relief for the shortage of nurses in the United States, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

May 20, 2009CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Mr. WEXLER (for himself, Mr. SENSENBRENNER, Mrs. LOWEY, Mr. BILBRAY, and Mr. COHEN) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concernedCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To provide relief for the shortage of nurses in the United States, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘Emergency Nursing Supply Relief Act’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2. NURSING SHORTAGE RELIEF.

(a) Increasing Visa Numbers- Section 106 of the American Competitiveness in the Twenty-first Century Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-313; 8 U.S.C. 1153 note) is amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(e) Visa Shortage Relief for Nurses and Physical Therapists-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- Subject to paragraph (2), for petitions filed any time prior to September 30, 2012, for employment-based immigrants (and their family members accompanying or following to join under section 203(d) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1153(d))), which are or have been approved based on Schedule A, Group I as defined in section 656.5 of title 20, Code of Federal Regulations, as promulgated by the Secretary of Labor, the numerical limitations set forth in sections 201(d) and 202(a) of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1151(d) and 1152(a)) shall not apply.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) LIMITATION ON NUMBER OF VISAS- The Secretary of State may not issue more than 20,000 immigrant visa numbers in any one fiscal year (plus any available visa numbers under this paragraph not used during the preceding fiscal year) to principal beneficiaries of petitions pursuant to paragraph (1).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) EXPEDITED REVIEW- The Secretary of Homeland Security shall provide a process for reviewing and acting upon petitions with respect to immigrants described in paragraph (1) not later than 30 days after the date on which a completed petition has been filed.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(f) Fee for Use of Visas Under Subsection (a)-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of Homeland Security shall impose a fee upon each petitioning employer who uses a visa provided under subsection (e) to provide employment for an alien as a professional nurse, except that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) such fee shall be in the amount of $1,500 for each such alien nurse (but not for dependents accompanying or following to join who are not professional nurses); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) no fee shall be imposed for the use of such visas if the employer demonstrates to the Secretary that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) the employer is a health care facility that is located in a county or parish that received individual and public assistance pursuant to Major Disaster Declaration number 1603 or 1607; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) the employer is a health care facility that has been designated as a Health Professional Shortage Area facility by the Secretary of Health and Human Services as defined in section 332 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254e).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) FEE COLLECTION- A fee imposed by the Secretary of Homeland Security pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be collected by the Secretary as a condition of approval of an application for adjustment of status by the beneficiary of a petition or by the Secretary of State as a condition of issuance of a visa to such beneficiary.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Capitation Grants To Increase the Number of Nursing Faculty and Students; Domestic Nursing Enhancement Account- Part D of title VIII of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 296p et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘SEC. 832. CAPITATION GRANTS.

‘(a) In General- For the purpose described in subsection (b), the Secretary, acting through the Health Resources and Services Administration, shall award a grant each fiscal year in an amount determined in accordance with subsection (c) to each eligible school of nursing that submits an application in accordance with this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Purpose- A funding agreement for a grant under this section is that the eligible school of nursing involved will expend the grant to increase the number of nursing faculty and students at the school, including by hiring new faculty, retaining current faculty, purchasing educational equipment and audiovisual laboratories, enhancing clinical laboratories, repairing and expanding infrastructure, or recruiting students.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(c) Grant Computation-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) AMOUNT PER STUDENT- Subject to paragraph (2), the amount of a grant to an eligible school of nursing under this section for a fiscal year shall be the total of the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) $1,800 for each full-time or part-time student who is enrolled at the school in a graduate program in nursing that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) leads to a master’s degree, a doctoral degree, or an equivalent degree; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) prepares individuals to serve as faculty through additional course work in education and ensuring competency in an advanced practice area.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) $1,405 for each full-time or part-time student who--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) is enrolled at the school in a program in nursing leading to a bachelor of science degree, a bachelor of nursing degree, a graduate degree in nursing if such program does not meet the requirements of subparagraph (A), or an equivalent degree; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) has not more than 3 years of academic credits remaining in the program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) $966 for each full-time or part-time student who is enrolled at the school in a program in nursing leading to an associate degree in nursing or an equivalent degree.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) LIMITATION- In calculating the amount of a grant to a school under paragraph (1), the Secretary may not make a payment with respect to a particular student--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) for more than 2 fiscal years in the case of a student described in paragraph (1)(A) who is enrolled in a graduate program in nursing leading to a master’s degree or an equivalent degree;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) for more than 4 fiscal years in the case of a student described in paragraph (1)(A) who is enrolled in a graduate program in nursing leading to a doctoral degree or an equivalent degree;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) for more than 3 fiscal years in the case of a student described in paragraph (1)(B); orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) for more than 2 fiscal years in the case of a student described in paragraph (1)(C).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(d) Eligibility- In this section, the term ‘eligible school of nursing’ means a school of nursing that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) is accredited by a nursing accrediting agency recognized by the Secretary of Education;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) has a passage rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses of not less than 80 percent for each of the 3 academic years preceding submission of the grant application; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) has a graduation rate (based on the number of students in a class who graduate relative to, for a baccalaureate program, the number of students who were enrolled in the class at the beginning of junior year or, for an associate degree program, the number of students who were enrolled in the class at the end of the first year) of not less than 80 percent for each of the 3 academic years preceding submission of the grant application.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(e) Requirements- The Secretary may award a grant under this section to an eligible school of nursing only if the school gives assurances satisfactory to the Secretary that, for each academic year for which the grant is awarded, the school will comply with the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) The school will maintain a passage rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses of not less than 80 percent.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) The school will maintain a graduation rate (as described in subsection (d)(3)) of not less than 80 percent.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3)(A) Subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C), the first-year enrollment of full-time nursing students in the school will exceed such enrollment for the preceding academic year by 5 percent or 5 students, whichever is greater.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to the first academic year for which a school receives a grant under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) With respect to any academic year, the Secretary may waive application of subparagraph (A) if--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) the physical facilities at the school involved limit the school from enrolling additional students; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) the school has increased enrollment in the school (as described in subparagraph (A)) for each of the 2 preceding academic years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) Not later than 1 year after receiving a grant under this section, the school will formulate and implement a plan to accomplish at least 2 of the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) Establishing or significantly expanding an accelerated baccalaureate degree nursing program designed to graduate new nurses in 12 to 18 months.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) Establishing cooperative intradisciplinary education among schools of nursing with a view toward shared use of technological resources, including information technology.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) Establishing cooperative interdisciplinary training between schools of nursing and schools of allied health, medicine, dentistry, osteopathy, optometry, podiatry, pharmacy, public health, or veterinary medicine, including training for the use of the interdisciplinary team approach to the delivery of health services.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) Integrating core competencies on evidence-based practice, quality improvements, and patient-centered care.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(E) Increasing admissions, enrollment, and retention of qualified individuals who are financially disadvantaged.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(F) Increasing enrollment of minority and diverse student populations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(G) Increasing enrollment of new graduate baccalaureate nursing students in graduate programs that educate nurse faculty members.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(H) Developing post-baccalaureate residency programs to prepare nurses for practice in specialty areas where nursing shortages are most severe.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(I) Increasing integration of geriatric content into the core curriculum.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(J) Partnering with economically disadvantaged communities to provide nursing education.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(K) Expanding the ability of nurse managed health centers to provide clinical education training sites to nursing students.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(5) The school will submit an annual report to the Secretary that includes updated information on the school with respect to student enrollment, student retention, graduation rates, passage rates on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses, the number of graduates employed as nursing faculty or nursing care providers within 12 months of graduation, and the number of students who are accepted into graduate programs for further nursing education.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(6) The school will allow the Secretary to make on-site inspections, and will comply with the Secretary’s requests for information, to determine the extent to which the school is complying with the requirements of this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(f) Reports to Congress- The Secretary shall evaluate the results of grants under this section and submit to Congress--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this section, an interim report on such results; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) not later than September 30, 2010, a final report on such results.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(g) Application- An eligible school of nursing seeking a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information and assurances as the Secretary may require.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(h) Authorization of Appropriations- In addition to the amounts in the Domestic Nursing Enhancement Account, established under section 833, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘SEC. 833. DOMESTIC NURSING ENHANCEMENT ACCOUNT.

‘(a) Establishment- There is established in the general fund of the Treasury a separate account which shall be known as the ‘Domestic Nursing Enhancement Account’. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, there shall be deposited as offsetting receipts into the account all fees collected under section 106(f) of the American Competitiveness in the Twenty-first Century Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-313; 8 U.S.C. 1153 note). Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit the depositing of other moneys into the account established under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Use of Funds- Amounts collected under section 106(f) of the American Competitiveness in the Twenty-first Century Act of 2000, and deposited into the account established under subsection (a) shall be used by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out section 832. Such amounts shall be available for obligation only to the extent, and in the amount, provided in advance in appropriations Acts. Such amounts are authorized to remain available until expended.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Global Health Care Cooperation-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Title III of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 317 the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘SEC. 317A. TEMPORARY ABSENCE OF ALIENS PROVIDING HEALTH CARE IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES.

‘(a) In General- Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall allow an eligible alien and the spouse or child of such alien to reside in a candidate country during the period that the eligible alien is working as a physician or other health care worker in a candidate country. During such period the eligible alien and such spouse or child shall be considered--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) to be physically present and residing in the United States for purposes of naturalization under section 316(a); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) to meet the continuous residency requirements under section 316(b).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Definitions- In this section:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) CANDIDATE COUNTRY- The term ‘candidate country’ means a country that the Secretary of State determines to be--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) eligible for assistance from the International Development Association, in which the per capita income of the country is equal to or less than the historical ceiling of the International Development Association for the applicable fiscal year, as defined by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) classified as a lower middle income country in the then most recent edition of the World Development Report for Reconstruction and Development published by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and having an income greater than the historical ceiling for International Development Association eligibility for the applicable fiscal year; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) qualified to be a candidate country due to special circumstances, including natural disasters or public health emergencies.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) ELIGIBLE ALIEN- The term ‘eligible alien’ means an alien who--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) has been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) is a physician or other healthcare worker.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(c) Consultation- The Secretary of Homeland Security shall consult with the Secretary of State in carrying out this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(d) Publication- The Secretary of State shall publish--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section, a list of candidate countries;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) an updated version of the list required by paragraph (1) not less often than once each year; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) an amendment to the list required by paragraph (1) at the time any country qualifies as a candidate country due to special circumstances under subsection (b)(1)(C).’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) RULEMAKING-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) REQUIREMENT- Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall promulgate regulations to carry out the amendments made by this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) CONTENT- The regulations promulgated pursuant to paragraph (1) shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) permit an eligible alien (as defined in section 317A of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as added by paragraph (1)) and the spouse or child of the eligible alien to reside in a foreign country to work as a physician or other healthcare worker as described in subsection (a) of such section 317A for not less than a 12-month period and not more than a 24-month period, and shall permit the Secretary to extend such period for an additional period not to exceed 12 months, if the Secretary determines that such country has a continuing need for such a physician or other healthcare worker;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) provide for the issuance of documents by the Secretary to such eligible alien, and such spouse or child, if appropriate, to demonstrate that such eligible alien, and such spouse or child, if appropriate, is authorized to reside in such country under such section 317A; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) provide for an expedited process through which the Secretary shall review applications for such an eligible alien to reside in a foreign country pursuant to subsection (a) of such section 317A if the Secretary of State determines a country is a candidate country pursuant to subsection (b)(1)(C) of such section 317A.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) DEFINITION- Section 101(a)(13)(C)(ii) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(13)(C)(ii)) is amended by adding at the end the following: ‘except in the case of an eligible alien, or the spouse or child of such alien, who is authorized to be absent from the United States under section 317A,’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS- Section 211(b) of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1181(b)) is amended by inserting ‘, including an eligible alien authorized to reside in a foreign country under section 317A and the spouse or child of such eligible alien, if appropriate,’ after ‘101(a)(27)(A),’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) INELIGIBLE ALIENS- Section 212(a)(7)(A)(i)(I) of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(7)(A)(i)(I)) is amended by inserting ‘other than an eligible alien authorized to reside in a foreign country under section 317A and the spouse or child of such eligible alien, if appropriate,’ after ‘Act,’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) CLERICAL AMENDMENT- The table of contents of such Act is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 317 the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘Sec. 317A. Temporary absence of aliens providing health care in developing countries.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There are authorized to be appropriated to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services such sums as may be necessary to carry out this subsection and the amendments made by this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Attestation by Health Care Workers-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) ATTESTATION REQUIREMENT- Section 212(a)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(5)) is amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(E) HEALTH CARE WORKERS WITH OTHER OBLIGATIONS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) IN GENERAL- An alien who seeks to enter the United States for the purpose of performing labor as a physician or other health care worker is inadmissible unless the alien submits to the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Secretary of State, as appropriate, an attestation that the alien is not seeking to enter the United States for such purpose during any period in which the alien has an outstanding obligation to the government of the alien’s country of origin or the alien’s country of residence.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) OBLIGATION DEFINED- In this subparagraph, the term ‘obligation’ means an obligation incurred as part of a valid, voluntary individual agreement in which the alien received financial assistance to defray the costs of education or training to qualify as a physician or other health care worker in consideration for a commitment to work as a physician or other health care worker in the alien’s country of origin or the alien’s country of residence.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) WAIVER- The Secretary of Homeland Security may waive a finding of inadmissibility under clause (i) if the Secretary determines that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(I) the obligation was incurred by coercion or other improper means;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(II) the alien and the government of the country to which the alien has an outstanding obligation have reached a valid, voluntary agreement, pursuant to which the alien’s obligation has been deemed satisfied, or the alien has shown to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the alien has been unable to reach such an agreement because of coercion or other improper means; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(III) the obligation should not be enforced due to other extraordinary circumstances, including undue hardship that would be suffered by the alien in the absence of a waiver.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) APPLICATION BY THE SECRETARY- Not later than the effective date described in subparagraph (A), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall begin to carry out subparagraph (E) of section 212(a)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as added by paragraph (1), including the requirement for the attestation and the granting of a waiver described in clause (iii) of such subparagraph (E), regardless of whether regulations to implement such subparagraph have been promulgated.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 3. NURSE TRAINING AND RETENTION DEMONSTRATION GRANT ACT OF 2008.

(a) Findings- Congress makes the following findings:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) America’s healthcare system depends on an adequate supply of trained nurses to deliver quality patient care.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) Over the next 15 years, this shortage is expected to grow significantly. The Health Resources and Services Administration has projected that by 2020, there will be a shortage of nurses in every State and that overall only 64 percent of the demand for nurses will be satisfied, with a shortage of 1,016,900 nurses nationally.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) To avert such a shortage, today’s network of healthcare workers should have access to education and support from their employers to participate in educational and training opportunities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) With the appropriate education and support, incumbent healthcare workers and incumbent bedside nurses are untapped sources which can meet these needs and address the nursing shortage and provide quality care as the American population ages.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Purposes of Grant Program- It is the purpose of this section to authorize grants to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) address the projected shortage of nurses by funding comprehensive programs to create a career ladder to nursing (including Certified Nurse Assistants, Licensed Practical Nurses, Licensed Vocational Nurses, and Registered Nurses) for incumbent ancillary healthcare workers;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) increase the capacity for educating nurses by increasing both nurse faculty and clinical opportunities through collaborative programs between staff nurse organizations, healthcare providers, and accredited schools of nursing; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) provide training programs through education and training organizations jointly administered by healthcare providers and healthcare labor organizations or other organizations representing staff nurses and frontline healthcare workers, working in collaboration with accredited schools of nursing and academic institutions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Grants- Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor (referred to in this section as the ‘Secretary’) shall establish a partnership grant program to award grants to eligible entities to carry out comprehensive programs to provide education to nurses and create a pipeline to nursing for incumbent ancillary healthcare workers who wish to advance their careers, and to otherwise carry out the purposes of this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Eligible Entities- To be eligible to receive a grant under this section an entity shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) be--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) a healthcare entity that is jointly administered by a healthcare employer and a labor union representing the healthcare employees of the employer and that carries out activities using labor management training funds as provided for under section 302 of the Labor-Management Relations Act, 1947 (18 U.S.C. 186(c)(6));CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) an entity that operates a training program that is jointly administered by--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) one or more healthcare providers or facilities, or a trade association of healthcare providers; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) one or more organizations which represent the interests of direct care healthcare workers or staff nurses and in which the direct care healthcare workers or staff nurses have direct input as to the leadership of the organization; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) a State training partnership program that consists of non-profit organizations that include equal participation from industry, including public or private employers, and labor organizations including joint labor-management training programs, and which may include representatives from local governments, worker investment agency one-stop career centers, community based organizations, community colleges, and accredited schools of nursing; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Additional Requirements for Healthcare Employer Desrribed in Subsection (d)- To be eligible for a grant under this section, a healthcare employer described in subsection (d) shall demonstrate--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) an established program within their facility to encourage the retention of existing nurses;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) it provides wages and benefits to its nurses that are competitive for its market or that have been collectively bargained with a labor organization; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) support for programs funded under this section through 1 or more of the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) The provision of paid leave time and continued health coverage to incumbent healthcare workers to allow their participation in nursing career ladder programs, including Certified Nurse Assistants, Licensed Practical Nurses, Licensed Vocational Nurses, and Registered Nurses.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) Contributions to a joint labor-management or other jointly administered training fund which administers the program involved.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) The provision of paid release time, incentive compensation, or continued health coverage to staff nurses who desire to work full- or part-time in a faculty position.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) The provision of paid release time for staff nurses to enable them to obtain a bachelor of science in nursing degree, other advanced nursing degrees, specialty training, or certification program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) The payment of tuition assistance to incumbent healthcare workers.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Other Requirements-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) MATCHING REQUIREMENT-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- The Secretary may not make a grant under this section unless the applicant involved agrees, with respect to the costs to be incurred by the applicant in carrying out the program under the grant, to make available non-Federal contributions (in cash or in kind under subparagraph (B)) toward such costs in an amount equal to not less than $1 for each $1 of Federal funds provided in the grant. Such contributions may be made directly or through donations from public or private entities, or may be provided through the cash equivalent of paid release time provided to incumbent worker students.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) DETERMINATION OF AMOUNT OF NON-FEDERAL CONTRIBUTION- Non-Federal contributions required in subparagraph (A) may be in cash or in kind (including paid release time), fairly evaluated, including equipment or services (and excluding indirect or overhead costs).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) SUPPLEMENT, NOT SUPPLANT- Funds made available under this section shall supplement, and not supplant, resources dedicated by an entity, or other Federal, State, or localfunds available to carry out activities described in this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) REQUIRED COLLABORATION- Entities carrying out or overseeing programs carried out with assistance provided under this section shall demonstrate collaboration with accredited schools of nursing which may include community colleges and other academic institutions providing associate, bachelor’s, or advanced nursing degree programs or specialty training or certification programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Activites- Amounts awarded to an entity under a grant under this section shall be used for the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) To carry out programs that provide education and training to establish nursing career ladders to educate incumbent healthcare workers to become nurses (including Certified Nurse Assistants, Licensed Practical Nurses, Licensed Vocational Nurses, and Registered Nurses). Such programs shall include one or more of the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) Preparing incumbent workers to return to the classroom through English as a second language education, GED education, precollege counseling, college preparation classes, and support with entry level college classes that are a prerequisite to nursing.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) Providing tuition assistance with preference for dedicated cohort classes in community colleges, universities, accredited schools of nursing with supportive services including tutoring and counseling.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) Providing assistance in preparing for and meeting all nursing licensure tests and requirements.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) Carrying out orientation and mentorship programs that assist newly graduated nurses in adjusting to working at the bedside to ensure their retention post graduation, and ongoing programs to support nurse retention.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) Providing stipends for release time and continued healthcare coverage to enable incumbent healthcare workers to participate in these programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) To carry out programs that assist nurses in obtaining advanced degrees and completing specialty training or certification programs and to establish incentives for nurses to assume nurse faculty positions on a part-time or full-time basis. Such programs shall include one or more of the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) Increasing the pool of nurses with advanced degrees who are interested in teaching by funding programs that enable incumbent nurses to return to school.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) Establishing incentives for advanced degree bedside nurses who wish to teach in nursing programs so they can obtain a leave from their bedside position to assume a full- or part-time position as adjunct or full time faculty without the loss of salary or benefits.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) Collaboration with accredited schools of nursing which may include community colleges and other academic institutions providing associate, bachelor’s, or advanced nursing degree programs, or specialty training or certification programs, for nurses to carry out innovative nursing programs which meet the needs of bedside nursing and healthcare providers.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(h) Preference- In awarding grants under this section the Secretary shall give preference to programs that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) provide for improving nurse retention;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) provide for improving the diversity of the new nurse graduates to reflect changes in the demographics of the patient population;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) provide for improving the quality of nursing education to improve patient care and safety;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) have demonstrated success in upgrading incumbent healthcare workers to become nurses or which have established effective programs or pilots to increase nurse faculty; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) are modeled after or affiliated with such programs described in paragraph (4).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) Evaluation-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) PROGRAM EVALUATIONS- An entity that receives a grant under this section shall annually evaluate, and submit to the Secretary a report on, the activities carried out under the grant and the outcomes of such activities. Such outcomes may include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) an increased number of incumbent workers entering an accredited school of nursing and in the pipeline for nursing programs;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) an increasing number of graduating nurses and improved nurse graduation and licensure rates;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) improved nurse retention;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) an increase in the number of staff nurses at the healthcare facility involved;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) an increase in the number of nurses with advanced degrees in nursing;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) an increase in the number of nurse faculty;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(G) improved measures of patient quality as determined by the Secretary; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(H) an increase in the diversity of new nurse graduates relative to the patient population.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) GENERAL REPORT- Not later than September 30, 2011, the Secretary of Labor shall, using data and information from the reports received under paragraph (1), submit to Congress a report concerning the overall effectiveness of the grant program carried out under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(j) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section for fiscal years 2010, 2011, and 2012, such sums as may be necessary. Funds appropriated under this subsection shall remain available until expended without fiscal year limitation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 4. COLLECTION OF DATA AND REPORTS TO CONGRESS ON FOREIGN-TRAINED NURSES AND PHYSICAL THERAPISTS NEWLY ADMITTED TO THE UNITED STATES EACH FISCAL YEAR.

(a) Requirement To Collect Data- With respect to each fiscal year, beginning with fiscal year 2009, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall collect the following data for each alien that acquires the status of a lawful permanent resident or a temporary alien worker (including as a temporary professional worker under the North American Free Trade Agreement) during that fiscal year for employment as a professional nurse or physical therapist:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) The country of residence and country of nationality of the alien at the time such status is acquired.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) The country or countries in which the alien received the professional education and training to be licensed as a nurse or a physical therapist.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) The name and address of the petitioning employer.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) The name and and address of any recruiting agency used by the petitioning employer with respect to the recruitment, processing or preparation of the alien for the employment involved.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) The processing time for review and action on the petition with respect to each such aliens.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Research of Data From Prior Fiscal Years-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) With respect to the fiscal years 2004 through 2008, the Secretary shall determine which of the data required to be collected pursuant to subsection (a) are available for retrieval in electronic databases maintained by the Secretary.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) In preparing the report for fiscal year 2009 mandated by this section, the Secretary shall include a summary of all such available data for fiscal years 2004 through 2008.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Reports- The Secretary shall submit annual reports aggregating the data collected under subsection (a), and, with respect to the report for fiscal year 2009, such additional data identified pursuant to subsection (b), along with such related information as the Secretary determines to be appropriate, to the Committees on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and the Senate not later than 90 days after the end of each fiscal year. Such reports shall include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) the aggregate number of aliens who acquired a status described in subsection (a) during such fiscal year and subtotals of the status categories acquired;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) subtotals within each status category for the data element collected pursuant to subsection (a); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) the average processing times for each different type of petition or application involved in the acquisition of status.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Publication in the Federal Register- The Secretary shall cause to have published in the Federal Register notice of the submittal to the Committees on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and the Senate of each report required under subsection (c) and of the availability to the public of each such report.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink