SB 520: Nurse-midwifery education program.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law creates the Vocational Nurse Education Program within the Department of Health Care Access and Information for persons agreeing to serve in an eligible county health facility, state-operated health facility, or a health workforce shortage area, before completing vocational nursing school. Existing law authorizes a person who qualifies for admission to a vocational nursing program to apply for funding under the program, as specified. Existing law establishes the Vocational Nurse Education Fund for the purpose of promoting the education of vocational nurses and related administrative costs.

This bill would create the California Nurse-Midwifery Education Fund within the department for the purpose of establishing California-based, master’s level, nurse-midwifery education programs within the California State University, the University of California, or both. The bill would require the department to administer the fund, and receive moneys from the General Fund for these purposes upon appropriation by the Legislature. The bill would require the department to establish a competitive application criteria to ensure the optimal sites selection for the education programs within the California State University system or the University of California, would require the department to ensure that a master’s degree is an option for students as the culminating degree of the education programs receiving funds, and would require the education programs to meet specified requirements. The bill would also require the fund to support the annual operating costs for the development, operation, and maintenance of the education programs through the graduation of the first cohort of matriculated students, or 5 years, whichever is shorter.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 9 · Republican 5

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. October 11, 2025Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 601, Statutes of 2025.
2. October 11, 2025Approved by the Governor.
3. September 16, 2025Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.
4. September 8, 2025In Senate. Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
5. September 8, 2025Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 79. Noes 0. Page 2994.) Ordered to the Senate.
6. September 2, 2025Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
7. August 29, 2025From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (August 29).
8. August 20, 2025August 20 set for first hearing. Placed on APPR. suspense file.
9. July 9, 2025From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (July 8). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
10. June 25, 2025From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on HIGHER ED. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (June 24). Re-referred to Com. on HIGHER ED.
11. June 5, 2025Referred to Coms. on HEALTH and HIGHER ED.
12. May 29, 2025In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.