Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Nursing Supervision topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
‘Hannah’s Law’ would clarify that nurses—not nonmedical administrators—supervise school nursing practice, sponsors say
Summary
House Bill 2948 would clarify that registered nurses — not nonmedical school administrators — must supervise, evaluate or assign clinical nursing practice in schools, a sponsor and parents of medically fragile children told the committee.
Representative Travis Nelson, a registered nurse, introduced House Bill 2948—called "Hannah's Law" by proponents—which clarifies that only registered nurses may supervise, evaluate or assign nursing practice in school settings. Nelson said the bill addresses instances where non-nurses have directed clinical nursing practice, putting students and nurses at risk.
Parents and nurses described cases in which administrative decisions limited or altered nursing care in schools, with testimony that such actions had caused students to miss school or suffer adverse outcomes. Lisa Ledson, a registered nurse and parent of a medically complex child named Hannah, described a case where an administrator overruled a clinician’s direction for g-tube feeds; the child later developed aspiration pneumonia and missed substantial school time. Ledson said: "No parent should ever have to send their child to school fearing for their health and safety or worrying about an unlicensed or unqualified staff member making a medical decision."
The Oregon School Nurses Association, school administrators and the Oregon School Boards Association said they were willing to work on clarifying amendments. COSA and the School Boards Association urged tighter language to avoid confusion over nonclinical supervision duties and implementation logistics; witnesses noted the bill is not intended to dictate nonclinical supervision such as timekeeping or assignments that are managerial rather than clinical.
Supporters stressed existing billing opportunities (Medicaid) could fund many medically fragile students’ nursing needs if implemented in concert with other measures. The committee received substantial written testimony and in-person witness statements. The hearing closed with a recognition that sponsors and education stakeholders would continue to refine the bill’s language.
No vote on HB 2948 was recorded in the transcript; the committee expected follow-up amendments and further stakeholder work.
