HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 35
(By Delegates Hatfield, Mezzatesta, Michael,
Williams and Carmichael)
[Introduced February 11, 2003; referred to the
Committee Rules.]
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to conduct
a study of the shortage of qualified nursing personnel to
involve the study of: Current funding sources for nursing
education; administration of funding for nursing education;
the adequacy of funding levels per nursing student; the
capacity for expansion of nursing programs; the need to
increase nursing faculty salaries; the need to upgrade and
enhance distance education technology; funding for enhanced
distance education; and, the need to provide stipends to
support nontuition related expenses for nursing education
programs.
Whereas, There is a critical shortage of qualified nurses in
several areas of this State; and
Whereas, State supported nursing programs are struggling with
limited budgets and the recognized need to keep abreast of modern
technological and healthcare advances in offering educational
courses and training to nursing students; and
Whereas, The West Virginia board of registered professional
nurses has established a nursing shortage study commission to bring
these issues before the Legislature and has filed a report on its findings; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby requests the Joint Committee on
Government and Finance to conduct a study of the shortage of
qualified nursing personnel to involve a study of: Current funding
sources for nursing education; administration of funding for
nursing education; the adequacy of funding levels per nursing
student; the capacity for expansion of nursing programs; the need
to increase nursing faculty salaries; the need to upgrade and
enhance distance education technology; funding for enhanced
distance education; and, the need to provide stipends to support
nontuition related expenses for nursing education programs
; and, be
it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2004, on
its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts
of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations;
and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this
study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be
paid from the legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on
Government and Finance.