KLS Keeping Law Simple Legislation in plain English

Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

Back to California

AB-2301 • 2026

Community colleges: Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing Pilot Program.

Community colleges: Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing Pilot Program.

Education
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Soria
Last action
2026-04-22
Official status
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (April 21). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not specify the criteria for selecting the ten community college districts.

Community Colleges: Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing Pilot Program

This law establishes a pilot program for selected California community colleges to offer Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees, with enrollment prioritized for local nursing students and national accreditation support.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires the Chancellor's office to develop a Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing Pilot Program at select California Community Colleges.
  • Limits the program to ten community college districts based on criteria set by the Chancellor’s office.
  • Prioritizes enrollment for students with an associate degree in nursing from that same district.
  • Develops a process to assist community colleges with nursing programs to get national accreditation.
  • Requires the Legislative Analyst's Office to review and report on the program's effectiveness.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Community college districts in California
  • Students with associate degrees in nursing from participating community colleges

Terms To Know

Baccalaureate Degree
A four-year degree, such as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Pilot Program
A small-scale test run to see if an idea works before making it bigger or official.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The program will only be available at ten selected community college districts.
  • It is not clear how many students will participate in the pilot program.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-22 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (April 21). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  2. 2026-03-09 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on HIGHER ED.

  3. 2026-02-20 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 22.

  4. 2026-02-19 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 2301, as introduced, Soria.
Community colleges: Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing Pilot Program.
Existing law establishes the California Community Colleges, under the administration of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges. Existing law establishes community college districts throughout the state, under the administration of community college district governing boards, and authorizes these districts to provide instruction at the community college campuses they operate. Existing law establishes a statewide baccalaureate degree program that authorizes up to a total of 30 baccalaureate degree programs at community college districts to be approved per academic year, as provided.
This bill would require the office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges to develop a Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing Pilot Program that authorizes select community college districts to offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
The bill would limit the pilot program to 10 community college districts statewide and would require the chancellor’s office to identify and select eligible community college districts based on specified criteria. The bill would require the chancellor’s office to develop a process designed to assist community college districts with nursing programs that are applying for national accreditation for the purpose of qualifying for the pilot program, as provided. The bill would require each participating community college district to give priority registration for enrollment in the pilot program to students with an associate degree in nursing from that community college district. The bill would require the Legislative Analyst’s Office to conduct an evaluation of the pilot program to determine the effectiveness of the program and the need to continue or expand the program, as specified, to be submitted to the Legislature on or before July 1, 2034. The bill would repeal these provisions as of January 1,
2036.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF