BILL NUMBER: S5916

SPONSOR: MARTUCCI
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the education law, in relation to requiring school nurs-
es in school buildings in certain school districts

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

The bill amends the education law, requiring certain school districts to
provide for at least one school nurse in each school building.

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section 1 of the bill amends Section 902 of the education law by adding
a new subdivision 4. This new subdivision requires each school district
in the cities of Yonkers, Syracuse, Buffalo and Rochester and the
department of education of New York city to provide for at least one
school nurse in each school building. The section also provides for
additional staffing to be determined in regulation by the Commissioner
              

of Education in consultation with at least one professional nursing
association.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

While many school districts throughout New York State provide health
care services to children in each school by staffing registered profes-
sional nurses, there are some districts that choose to have these nurses
travel between school buildings or choose not to have a registered
professional nurse on staff at all.

Large city school districts, especially, are often faced with these
staffing dilemmas. Having professional staff available can prevent
potentially unfortunate outcomes for students that are faced with a
medical situation. Children in our state's largest school districts need
the same services from qualified medical professionals as children in
other districts. In fact, rates for asthma and other chronic medical
conditions are higher among students in urban school districts.

New York State law should recognize this important need. This bill will
provide each school within the largest school districts in our state
with access to a qualified medical service professional for both chronic
and acute health issues for its students.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2019-20:referred to Education

2017-18:referred to Education

2015-16:referred to Education

2013-14:referred to Education

2011-12:referred to Education

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of September next succeeding the
date on which it shall have become a law.