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Senate committee hears two-year pilot to fund CNA licensure for high school CTE students
Summary
Senate Bill 176, narrowed in amendment to focus on certified nursing assistant (CNA) programs, would fund licensure exam fees (estimated $300 per student) for eligible public high school CTE students in a two-year pilot; sponsors said the change aims to remove cost barriers for students entering health-care jobs.
Senate Bill 176 drew testimony Wednesday as the Senate Committee on Education considered a conceptual amendment narrowing the bill's scope to fund licensure and certification exam fees for high school students completing certified nursing assistant (CNA) career-and-technical-education programs.
Sen. Fabian Donate, sponsor of SB176, said the amendment removes earlier references to other programs and the Millennium Scholarship and focuses the pilot on CNAs. Donate and co-presenter Leticia Delgado told the committee the change responds to a documented shortage of nursing assistants in Nevada and that costs for students to sit for CNA licensure can run from roughly $75 up to $300. Donate said the pilot is intended to remove that financial barrier for students who complete their CTE coursework and elect to pursue licensure.
The sponsor indicated an enrollment projection of about 233 students across existing high-school CNA programs and an estimated cost of about $300 per student; the conceptual amendment contains an appropriation broken down for districts so funds can be distributed to help students take exams and apply for licensure. Donate described the plan as a two-year pilot, with districts receiving the funds and the Board of Nursing and other agencies coordinating scheduling and certification logistics.
Three students from Southwest Career and Technical Academy testified about the economic barrier the fee presented. Alejandra Chavez Ruiz and Alexis Lee described needing family support or part-time work to pay licensure and fingerprinting fees, and William Dang said nearly half his CNA class did not obtain certification because of costs. Their testimony was cited by proponents as evidence that cost is a tangible barrier to credential attainment and workforce entry.
Supporters included the Nevada Hospital Association, the Nevada Association of School Boards, the Nevada Association of School Superintendents and industry groups; they described CNAs as part of a workforce pipeline that feeds hospitals and long-term-care providers. The Board of Nursing's executive director, Cathy Dinauer, told the committee the board already manages CNA program scheduling and could help track where certified students go to work; she said the board has a staff member responsible for CNA programs and could assist with testing and follow-up.
Committee members asked whether charter schools would be eligible for funds; Donate said the amendment as drafted covered public school CTE programs and that he was open to discussing charter inclusion offline. Senators also asked about income thresholds; Donate said the pilot was designed to be simple and pay fees for CTE students who opted to take a licensure exam rather than creating a means test.
Members asked where unused funds would go; Donate replied the appropriation would be to school districts and any unspent money would return to the general fund. The sponsor and supporters described the proposal as a targeted, two-year pilot that would be evaluated by tracking whether students sat for exams, attained credentials, and entered related employment.
Public comment and supporters at the hearing included the Nevada Association of School Boards, Nevada Hospital Association, and regional workforce organizations. No committee vote was recorded at the conclusion of the hearing.
Sources: Hearing testimony before the Nevada Senate Committee on Education; statements by sponsor and Board of Nursing.
