GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1993

S	1 

SENATE BILL 224*

Short Title:  Need-Based Cytotech. Schol.	(Public)
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Sponsors: Senators Plexico, Forrester, Odom, and Plyler.
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Referred to:  Education/Higher Education.
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February 18, 1993

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH AND APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR NEED-BASED CYTOTECHNOLOGY SCHOLARSHIPS, AND TO DIRECT THE OFFICE OF STATE PERSONNEL TO REVIEW STATE CYTOTECHNOLOGIST SALARIES.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  Article 7 of Chapter 130A of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new Part to read:
"Part 1A.  Need-Based Cytotechnology Scholarships.
"§ 130A-216.  Need-based cytotechnology scholarships fund.
(a)	As used in this Part, 'cytotechnology' is the scientific study of cells, their origin, structure, and functions.
(b)	There is created a need-based scholarship loan fund for cytotechnology students.  Need-based scholarship loans shall be available for study in cytotechnology programs offered by community colleges and The University of North Carolina, and by private colleges which offer cytotechnology programs.  Part-time students and nontraditional students who have postsecondary degrees are eligible to receive need-based cytotechnology scholarship loans.
(c)	Need-based cytotechnology scholarship loan funds shall be administered by the State Board of Community Colleges, the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina, and the State Education Assistance Authority.  The State Board of Community Colleges and the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina shall allocate the scholarship loan funds among their respective constituent institutions that have programs of education leading to a certificate in cytotechnology.  Distribution shall be in a manner determined by the appropriate governing body.  The State Education Assistance Authority shall distribute scholarship loan funds to private nonprofit colleges that offer cytotechnology programs.  Distribution shall be in a manner determined by the Board of the State Education Assistance Authority after consultation with the North Carolina Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.
(d)	The State Education Assistance Authority shall carry out the following functions in implementing the need-based cytotechnology scholarship loan program:
(1)	Promulgate the rules and regulations necessary to implement the scholarship program;
(2)	Disburse, collect, and monitor scholarship loan funds;
(3)	Establish the terms and conditions of promissory notes executed by loan recipients;
(4)	Approve service repayment agreements;
(5)	Collect cash repayments required when service repayment is not completed; and
(6)	Adopt rules to allow for the forgiveness of scholarship loans if it determines that it is impossible for the recipient to practice cytotechnology in North Carolina for a sufficient time to repay the loan because of the death or permanent disability of the recipient within 10 years following graduation or termination of enrollment in a cytotechnology education program.
(e)	Each institution to which scholarship loan funds are allocated shall publicize the availability of, shall disseminate, receive and review applications for, and shall select the recipients of scholarship loans.  Scholarship loans shall be made only to prospective and enrolled cytotechnology students under the terms and conditions established for the need-based cytotechnology scholarship loan program by the State Education Assistance Authority."
Sec. 2.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina the sum of twenty-four thousand dollars ($24,000) for the 1993-94 fiscal year, and the sum of twenty-four thousand dollars ($24,000) for the 1994-95 fiscal year, to be used for funding need-based scholarship loans for cytotechnology students.  Of the funds appropriated to the Board of Governors, twelve thousand dollars ($12,000) shall be allocated for each fiscal year to the State Education Assistance Authority for allocation to private colleges in North Carolina that have cytotechnology programs.
Sec. 3.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the State Board of Community Colleges the sum of six thousand dollars ($6,000) for the 1993-94 fiscal year, and the sum of six thousand dollars ($6,000) for the 1994-95 fiscal year, to be used for funding need-based scholarship loans for cytotechnology students.
Sec. 4.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina the sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000) for the 1993-94 fiscal year, and the sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000) for the 1994-95 fiscal year, to be used to enable the State Education Assistance Authority to provide staff and administrative support in carrying out the provisions of this Article.
Sec. 5.  The Office of State Personnel shall review State cytotechnologist pay scales and report its findings to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations and to the Secretary of the Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources by November 1, 1993.
Sec. 6.  This act becomes effective July 1, 1993.