Oregon lawmakers consider Hannah's Law to protect medically fragile students in schools

The Oregon House Committee on Behavioral Health and Health Care convened on January 28, 2025, to discuss critical legislation aimed at enhancing the safety and well-being of medically fragile students in schools. A key focus of the meeting was House Bill 2948, also known as Hannah's Law, which seeks to ensure that only licensed registered nurses supervise clinical decisions in educational settings.

Representative Travis Nelson, a registered nurse with nearly two decades of experience, championed the bill, emphasizing that current practices allow non-nurses to oversee nursing tasks, which can jeopardize student safety. He highlighted the need for qualified professionals to make health-related decisions, stating, "Children have already been hurt by this lack of clarity and bad judgment." The bill aims to align Oregon's practices with those of Washington state, which has implemented similar protections for school nurses.

The discussion included poignant testimonies from parents of medically fragile children, including Lisa Ledson, who shared her daughter Hannah's struggles due to inadequate nursing oversight at school. Ledson recounted how administrative decisions led to her daughter suffering from aspiration pneumonia, underscoring the urgent need for legislative change to prevent such incidents in the future.

Committee members expressed concerns about the potential financial implications of the bill for school districts, particularly regarding the requirement for registered nurses to oversee nursing care. However, proponents argued that funding through Medicaid could alleviate some of these burdens, ensuring that necessary nursing services are accessible to all students who need them.

The committee also discussed the broader implications of the bill, including the importance of maintaining the professional autonomy of nurses in educational settings. Wendy Niskinen, executive director of the Oregon School Nurses Association, reinforced that the bill clarifies existing laws regarding nursing practice, ensuring that medical decisions are made by qualified personnel rather than administrators without medical training.

As the committee moves forward, the discussions surrounding Hannah's Law reflect a growing recognition of the need for specialized medical care in schools, particularly for students with complex health needs. The proposed legislation aims not only to protect vulnerable students but also to uphold the integrity of nursing practice within the educational system. The committee plans to continue refining the bill, with input from various stakeholders, to ensure it effectively addresses the needs of Oregon's students and school nurses alike.