HB1011: Community College System; establish programs and grant baccalaureate degrees in nursing, etc.

HOUSE BILL NO. 1011
Offered January 13, 2010
Prefiled January 13, 2010
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 23-214 and 23-219 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 23-219.1, relating to community college bachelor's degrees.
Patron-- Athey

Committee Referral Pending

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That §§ 23-214 and 23-219 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 23-219.1 as follows:

§ 23-214. Definitions.

As used in this chapter:

(a) "Comprehensive community college" means an institution of higher education which offers instruction in one or more of the following fields:

(1) Freshman and sophomore courses in arts and sciences acceptable for transfer in baccalaureate degree programs;

(2) Diversified technical curricula including programs leading to the associate degree;

(3) Career and technical education leading directly to employment;

(4) Courses in general and continuing education for adults in the above fields;

(5) Noncredit training and retraining courses and programs of varying lengths to meet the needs of business and industry in the Commonwealth;

(6) Baccalaureate degrees in certain high needs fields pursuant to § 23-219.1.

(b) "State Board" or "Board" means the State Board for Community Colleges.

(c) "Local community college board" means the board established to act in an advisory capacity to the State Board and to perform such duties with respect to the operation of a single comprehensive community college as may be delegated to it by the State Board.

(d) "Career and technical education" means the training, or retraining, which is given in school classes (including field or laboratory work incidental thereto), under public supervision and control, exclusive of those career and technical education programs provided and administered by, or through, the public school system and is conducted as part of a program designed to fit individuals for gainful employment as semiskilled or skilled, workers or technicians in recognized occupations.

(e) "Area career and technical school" means a career or technical school used exclusively, or principally, for providing career and technical education to persons who have completed, or left, high school, or are recommended for transfer by the school last attended, and who are available for full-time study in preparation for entering the labor market, or for part-time study after entering the labor market.

(f) "System" means the Virginia Community College System.

§ 23-219. Diplomas, certificates and associate degrees.

The Board shall have the right to confer diplomas, certificates, and associate degrees, and certain bachelor's degrees as provided in § 23-219.1.

§ 23-219.1. Certain bachelor's degrees; authorized.

Notwithstanding subdivisions 3 and 4 of § 23-9.6:1, the Virginia Community College System shall be authorized to establish programs and confer baccalaureate degrees in nursing, education, applied technology, and other high needs areas to be determined by the Virginia Community College System.