House Bill 1444 Summary

• Requires school nurses to be evaluated annually on nursing performance components, with evaluations conducted by a registered nurse supervisor if available, or by a school district administrator using Department of Education tools if the district employs only one nurse.

• Mandates beginning July 1, 2017 that each school district ensure every school has at least one registered nurse, and permits licensed practical nurses to assist if needed based on student acuity levels.

• Requires newly employed school nurse supervisors to have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree beginning July 1, 2017, and recommends the same for newly hired registered nurses beginning July 1, 2020.

• Establishes mandatory school nurse-to-student ratios of 1:750 students beginning with the 2015-2016 school year, with preferred tiered ratios ranging from 1:125 to 1:750 depending on student health care complexity levels.

• Allows school districts using preferred nursing ratios to receive enhanced school nurse funding if available, and allows use of national school lunch categorical funds to meet or exceed nurse-to-student ratio standards.