HB 19-1203: School Nurse Grant Program

• Creates a school nurse grant program administered by the Department of Public Health and Environment's Primary Care Office to award grants on five-year cycles to local education providers to increase school nurses in Colorado public schools.

• Authorizes up to $3 million in annual grants, with each grant covering one year initially and renewable for four additional years if a school nurse is retained and grant money is used appropriately.

• Grants must supplement, not replace, existing school nurse funding; small rural and rural school districts may contract with public health agencies or qualified health centers if unable to hire a nurse directly.

• Grant applicants must provide information including school nurse-to-student ratios, Title I eligibility, rural district status, targeted schools, salary requirements, and plans for continued funding after grant expiration.

• Grant award preference given to small rural school districts, rural school districts, and applicants eligible for federal Title I funding; requires annual reporting on number of positions hired, students served, and program impact.