AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49 and Title 68, relative to school nurses.
Impact
The legislation will significantly impact how school health services are provided throughout Tennessee. By setting a standard for nurse-to-student ratios, the bill aims to ensure that public school students have adequate health support. The reporting requirements may necessitate increased transparency and accountability from LEAs regarding their health service staffing. This change underscores the importance of health services in educational settings, especially in light of post-pandemic challenges faced by schools.
Summary
House Bill 2158 aims to amend Tennessee Code Annotated relative to the employment of school nurses in local education agencies (LEAs). The bill stipulates that LEAs may use funds from the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) program to either directly hire public school nurses or contract with a public school nurse program. A critical requirement of the bill is that LEAs must employ or contract for at least one school nurse for every 750 students starting from the 2024-2025 school year. If they fail to comply, they must submit a detailed report to the Department of Education explaining their situation.
Sentiment
The sentiment surrounding HB 2158 appears to be largely supportive among education advocates who emphasize the importance of health services in schools. However, concerns have been raised by some legislators regarding the financial and administrative pressures this requirement may place on smaller or underfunded school districts. Overall, the bill reflects a growing recognition of the necessity for health resources in schools, particularly as they relate to student well-being and academic success.
Contention
Notable points of contention include the potential strain this new requirement may impose on LEAs, especially those with limited budgets. Critics have expressed concerns that not all districts will be able to meet the mandate to employ or contract for sufficient nursing services, which could lead to disparities in health care access across the state. Additionally, there are worries about how effectively LEAs can hire and maintain qualified nursing staff under new compliance regulations.
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 33; Title 49; Title 53; Title 55; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to nurses.
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 33; Title 49; Title 53; Title 55; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to nurses.