NC H765

Department of Public Instruction establishes a Supervising School Nurse Pilot Program enabling public schools to hire or contract school medical assistants under supervision of a certified school nurse.

School medical assistants must have a relevant two-year degree or equivalent training and include those holding valid licenses as Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse, Nurse Aide I or II, National Certified Medical Assistant, or Emergency Medical Technician.

Public school units with at least one full-time certified school nurse may register to participate and fund medical assistants through instructional support allotment or other available sources.

Pilot program authorization expires at the end of the 2025-2026 school year; participating schools must register by April 15, 2024, and adopt written policies for medical assistant use by August 1, 2024.

State Board of Education must adopt rules for eligibility and use of medical assistants no later than January 15, 2024, and Department of Public Instruction must report to Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee annually beginning February 15, 2025, on participating schools, hiring data, and program benefits.