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Subcommittee backs statewide school nurse grant program to help districts hire and retain nurses
Summary
HB 2329 would establish a statewide School Nurse Grant Program administered by the Department of Education to fund nurse positions (awarded per nurse, capped at an LPN average cost); priority would go to high-need districts. The subcommittee moved the bill to full Education.
Representative Davis (speaker 11) told the committee HB 2329 would create a statewide school nurse grant program administered by the Department of Education to help districts hire and retain full-time licensed school nurses.
"This legislation ... creates a statewide school nurse grant program and it's administered by the Department of Education. It helps school districts and public charter schools hire and retain full time licensed school nurses," the sponsor said. Grants would be awarded per nurse position, not per student; funding would be subject to annual appropriations and capped at an average cost equal to an LPN as determined by the Department of Education and Department of Health, though funds may be applied toward an RN's salary.
Representative Davis said priority would go to districts with the greatest need; the bill does not mandate staffing ratios but provides a funding tool for LEAs. The clerk reported four ayes, no nays, and HB 2329 was advanced to full Education.
Provenance: topic introduced SEG 416; discussion and vote concluded SEG 486.
