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Assembly committee advances bill to let out-of-state nursing students complete clinicals in California
Summary
AB 1082 would allow California nursing students enrolled in out-of-state programs to complete clinical training in California; supporters say it eases hardships and addresses workforce shortages, while the Board of Registered Nursing and nursing groups warned it could worsen clinical placement shortages and undermine oversight.
Assemblymember Keith Flora on Tuesday presented AB 1082 to the Assembly Business and Professions Committee, proposing that California nursing students enrolled in out-of-state nursing programs be allowed to complete their clinical training in California.
The bill’s author and supporters said the measure seeks to reduce barriers for students enrolled in out-of-state distance programs who are currently forced to leave California to finish clinical training. “This bill only impacts those 5,000 California students,” Chris Khan of Nightingale College testified, saying those students often must “find a place to live” and establish relationships with out‑of‑state facilities that then hire them after graduation.
Supporters framed AB 1082 as a tool to help address California’s nursing shortage by making clinical training accessible at home. “We find that many of our nursing students who complete their clinical training in other states do not return home,” Flora said in introducing the bill.
Opponents — including representatives of the Board of Registered Nursing and the California Nurses Association — said the bill could intensify an already tight clinical training market in California and raise oversight gaps. Loretta Melby, executive officer for the Board of Registered Nursing, said the board held a special meeting to adopt an opposed position because bringing in the roughly 5,000 students enrolled in some out‑of‑state programs would perpetuate “clinical impaction” and could force California schools to reduce enrollment. "If you bring in 5,000 students doing clinical placements, it's just gonna perpetuate this," Melby said.
Carmen Comstee of the California Nurses Association testified in opposition, saying AB 1082 would permit out‑of‑state distance education programs to operate in California “unregulated, and without ongoing BRN oversight.” She told the committee the bill could allow programs to fall out of compliance with California standards and leave the BRN without an enforcement mechanism to address deficiencies in curriculum, faculty qualifications or NCLEX pass rates.
Committee members acknowledged unresolved concerns but indicated willingness to continue working on amendments. Dr. Jackson said he was “willing to support this bill today” but expected additional work with proponents and opponents as the measure advances.
The committee clerk called the roll after the hearing established a quorum; the clerk recorded AB 1082 as passed out of committee to Appropriations with 12 yes votes. The committee and the author signaled continued engagement with the Board of Registered Nursing and nursing stakeholders as AB 1082 moves forward.
Why this matters: Clinical training spots are limited in California, and changes that affect placement availability could influence enrollment in state programs and the distribution of newly licensed nurses across regions.
What’s next: AB 1082 was reported to the Appropriations Committee. Committee members said they expect ongoing negotiations over enforceability of placement protections and oversight provisions.
