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HOUSE BILL No. 2029—page 44 January 1, 1997, shall not be required to have a baccalaureate or higher academic degree in order to be designated by such provider as the individual responsible for CNE. (g) Criteria for evaluating out-of-state schools. For the purpose of determining whether an applicant for licensure who is a graduate of a school of professional or practical nursing located outside this state meets the requirements of K.S.A. 65-1115(a)(2), and amendments thereto or the requirements of K.S.A. 65-1116(a)(2), and amendments thereto, as appropriate, the board by rules and regulations shall establish criteria for determining whether a particular school of professional nursing located outside this state maintains standards which that are at least equal to schools of professional nursing that are approved by the board and whether a particular school of practical nursing located outside this state maintains standards that are at least equal to schools of practical nursing that are approved by the board. The board may send a questionnaire developed by the board to any school of professional or practical nursing located outside this state for which the board does not have sufficient information to determine whether the school meets the standards established under this subsection. The questionnaire providing the necessary information shall be completed and returned to the board in order for the school to be considered for approval. The board may contract with investigative agencies, commissions or consultants to assist the board in obtaining information about schools. In entering such contracts the authority to approve schools shall remain solely with the board. (h) The board may accept nationally accredited schools of nursing as defined in rule and regulation. (1) Schools of nursing that have received accreditation from a board recognized national nursing accreditation agency shall file evidence of initial accreditation with the board and shall file all reports from the accrediting agency and any notice of any change in school accreditation status. The board may grant approval based upon evidence of such accreditation. (2) Schools of nursing holding approval based upon national accreditation are also responsible for complying shall also comply with all other requirements as determined by rules and regulations of the board. (3) The board may grant approval to a school of nursing with national accreditation for a continuing period of not to exceed 10 years. Sec. 15. K.S.A. 71-1414, as amended by section 10 of 2026 Senate Bill No. 260, is hereby amended to read as follows: 71-1414. (a) (1) In college districts where a district method of election is in effect, a person may become a candidate for election to trustee of a community college by any one of the following methods: (A) Any person who is an elector of any member district may petition to be a candidate for member from the member district in which such person resides. Any such person shall file with the election officer a petition for such person's candidacy signed by not fewer than 50 electors residing in such person's member district. (B) Any person who is an elector of any member district may become a candidate for member from the member district in which such person resides by filing with the election officer a declaration of intent to be such a candidate, and payment therewith of a filing fee in the amount of $20. (C) If a community college adopts and implements a seven member board of trustees plan, any person who is an elector of the college district may petition to be a candidate for the at-large member position. Any such person shall file with the county election officer a petition for such candidacy signed by not fewer than 50 electors residing in such college district. (D) If a community college adopts and implements a seven member board of trustees plan, any person who is an elector of the college district may become a candidate for the at-large member