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House backs measure encouraging more school nurses, changes suggested ratio
Summary
The House adopted a second substitute to HB 114, encouraging districts to aim for a 1:2,000 nurse-to-student ratio (down from 1:5,000) and clarifying a school nurse definition; the measure passed 73–0.
The Utah House adopted a second substitute to HB 114 on Feb. 16 to encourage local education agencies to prioritize school nursing and to define a school nurse as a registered nurse.
Representative Harrison, sponsor, said the change asks districts to keep school nursing “on their radar” and adjusts the suggested ratio from one nurse per 5,000 students to one per 2,000. He emphasized the change is encouragement, not a mandate.
Representative Ryan D. Schultz offered and carried the second substitute and noted he worked with the sponsor to address concerns about mandating services. The House adopted the second substitute and later recorded the final transmission showing passage by 73 yeas and 0 nays.
Supporters cited growing student health and mental-health needs in classrooms and said the change would help teachers focus on instruction. The bill will be transmitted to the Senate for further consideration.
