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Bill proposing staged raises for school nurses draws emotional testimony but fails to advance in committee
Summary
Representative Julie Mayberry and school nurses urged an increase in school-nurse pay and a Medicaid-billing pathway; committee heard detailed testimony about workloads, pay gaps with state-employed nurses and therapists, and potential Medicaid reimbursement options, but the committee vote did not carry in the hearing.
Representative Julie Mayberry introduced House Bill 1242 to raise school nurses’ pay; sponsors said the bill is written to go into effect in the 2027–28 school year to give time for adequacy and agency work on funding and Medicaid billing options. Mayberry and several school nurses testified to heavy workloads, the complexity of school nursing, and pay differentials: witnesses described school nurse salaries ranging about $38,000–$66,000 across districts compared with state-employee nurse salaries of roughly $75,000–$111,000.
Nurses and health directors gave concrete workload examples: one director reported tens of thousands of nurse-office visits across a large district and a high percentage of students with medical alerts; nurses recounted daily medical procedures performed in schools including dialysis and medication administration. Testimony emphasized that school nurses often work alone on campus, write individualized health-care plans, manage chronic conditions, and provide emergency care with limited supplies.
Witnesses and Representative Mayberry also raised Medicaid-billing as a revenue-neutral pathway to help districts cover nurse services: Department of Human Services (DHS) staff present said school nurses currently have limited Medicaid billing authority (vision, hearing screenings and personal care services) and that expanding billable services would require a state plan amendment submitted to federal Medicaid authorities. Mayberry noted an existing agreement between Department of Education (ADE) and DHS to explore billing changes.
Committee members discussed practicality and local control: some senators expressed concern that districts should address pay locally and worried that a state-level pay mandate would create new budget pressures. Supporters said districts repeatedly sought state help and that a two-year window would allow agencies and legislators to craft sustainable funding options.
Committee action: senators took a voice vote after debate. The transcript records a motion to pass and a second, with senators voting; the chair declared that the 'no' voices carried and thanked members, indicating the motion did not pass in that hearing. Sponsors indicated they would continue working with ADE and DHS to pursue Medicaid-billing pathways and funding options.
