Requires in-service training for school nurses on caring for students with sickle cell disease (EN NO IMPACT See Note)
Impact
The enactment of HB 363 will likely lead to enhanced awareness and understanding of sickle cell disease within schools, facilitating better support systems for students suffering from the condition. By training school nurses, the bill aims to ensure that students receive appropriate medical attention during the school day, potentially improving their educational experience and health outcomes. The legislation also provides formal recognition of double-checking accommodations that may be needed in a school setting, therefore aligning educational practices with the medical needs of students.
Summary
House Bill 363 mandates that local public school boards in Louisiana adopt policies requiring school nurses to complete a training program on sickle cell disease. This training, which must be at least one hour long, is designed to educate school nurses about the symptoms and treatment of sickle cell disease in children, as well as how to accommodate these students' medical needs during school hours, including classroom activities and meal times. The bill emphasizes the importance of communication between school personnel and parents to foster positive academic outcomes for affected students.
Sentiment
The sentiment surrounding HB 363 is generally positive, as it aligns with growing efforts to enhance health education within schools and improve care for children with chronic medical conditions. Most stakeholders, including health officials and education advocates, appear to support the measure as a step toward better health management in school settings. Potential opposition may arise from logistical concerns regarding the implementation of the training or resource allocation for school boards, but these issues do not seem to dominate current discussions.
Contention
While there is overall support for the training of school nurses, debates could arise regarding the adequacy of resources for proper training and the effectiveness of its implementation across varied school environments. Critics may also highlight the need for ongoing support beyond just training, advocating for more comprehensive health policies to address the broader spectrum of conditions affecting students. Furthermore, how the Louisiana Sickle Cell Commission will deliver and monitor training could become a point of scrutiny, especially in ensuring that all school districts comply with the new requirements.
Creates and provides for a program to provide state funding for the education of students with exceptionalities not enrolled in public school (RE INCREASE GF EX See Note)
Creates and provides for a program to provide state funding for the education of students not enrolled in public school and expands the ability of parents to enroll children in the public school of their choice (RR INCREASE GF EX See Note)