House adopts 'Hannah's Law' to require nurse supervision for clinical school nursing duties

The Oregon House passed House Bill 29 48 on March 10, legislation sponsors call "Hannah's Law," which requires that only licensed registered nurses supervise, evaluate or assign matters of clinical nursing practice in schools.

Representative Nelson, who introduced the bill, said the measure responds to a case in which a medically fragile student named Hannah suffered because a school administrator without medical training made a clinical decision. "A bad decision about Hannah's medical care was not made by a nurse, but by a school administrator who is someone with no formal medical training," Nelson said on the House floor. She argued the bill does not impose new clinical duties but ensures licensed nurses oversee clinical nursing practice while administrators retain authority for nonclinical duties.

Nelson cited the Oregon Nurse Practice Act and said similar protections already exist in Washington state. She told colleagues the bill would protect medically fragile students, improve safety and give school nurses the professional autonomy needed to do their jobs.

No floor amendments or extended opposition were recorded. After brief discussion the clerk opened the voting system and the bill "having received the constitutional majority is declared passed," the transcript records.

Why it matters: The bill changes supervisory authority over clinical nursing tasks in schools, clarifying that clinical oversight must rest with licensed registered nurses. Supporters said the change protects students who rely on medical professionals during school hours.

The House record does not show a roll call tally in the provided transcript.