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AB 1400

Community colleges: Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing Pilot Program.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Sabrina Cervantes and 2 co-sponsors

California bill would have authorized community colleges to offer four-year baccalaureate nursing degrees to expand workforce capacity, but was vetoed by the Governor.

Consideration of Governor's veto stricken from file.
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Bill Summary · AB 1400

Legislative bill overview

AB 1400 proposed establishing a pilot program allowing California community colleges to offer baccalaureate degrees in nursing. The bill aimed to address nursing workforce shortages by enabling community colleges—traditionally two-year institutions—to grant four-year nursing degrees at their institutions.

Why is this important

California faces significant nursing shortages, and this bill sought to expand educational pathways by leveraging community college infrastructure and affordability. Creating nursing bachelor's degrees at community colleges could increase access to nursing education for working-class and nontraditional students who might find community colleges more accessible than universities.

Potential points of contention

  • Institutional scope creep: Critics argued expanding community colleges into four-year degree programs fundamentally changes their mission and could dilute focus on transfer programs and workforce training
  • Quality and accreditation concerns: Questions arose about whether community colleges have adequate resources, faculty qualifications, and clinical partnerships to meet baccalaureate nursing program standards
  • Competition with universities: California State University and University of California systems opposed the bill as potentially duplicative and threatening to their nursing programs and enrollment

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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