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.