MN HF1188

Creates a school health services specialist position at the Minnesota Department of Education to provide technical assistance to school districts and charter schools on education-related health needs of students.

Requires the specialist to serve as the primary information source for schools on emergency readiness, public health, and chronic/acute health conditions, and coordinate with the Department of Health and other state agencies.

Specialist must be a registered nurse licensed as both a public health nurse and school nurse in Minnesota, with minimum three years of school nursing experience, management experience, and a graduate degree in nursing, public health, education, or related field.

Specialist duties include increasing professional competencies of school nurses using American Nurses Association standards, developing implementation guidance for teachers on health-related educational needs, and providing online professional development programs for school staff.

Appropriates unspecified amounts from the general fund to the Commissioner of Education for fiscal years 2022 and 2023 to fund the school health services specialist position.