Texas House Bill HB1370

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

Relating to a notification requirement concerning the availability of nurses on the campus of a public school, including an open-enrollment charter school.

Impact

The implementation of HB1370 is expected to have a significant impact on how schools manage and communicate their health service offerings. By requiring schools to inform parents about the availability of nursing staff, this bill fosters increased parental awareness and engagement in their children's health care while on campus. The provision for bilingual notifications also ensures inclusivity, accommodating non-English speaking parents, which is an important aspect of community engagement.

Summary

House Bill 1370 introduces a new requirement for public schools and open-enrollment charter schools in Texas regarding the notification of parents or guardians concerning the availability of nurses on campus. The bill mandates that schools provide written notice to parents about the schedule and availability of a nurse during the school year. This effort aims to ensure that parents are fully informed about the health resources available to their children while they are at school, creating a more transparent environment regarding student health services.

Contention

While the bill may generally receive support for its intent to enhance communication between schools and families, there may be logistical challenges in executing the notification requirements effectively. Schools will need to ensure they have adequate systems in place for timely updates on nurse availability, particularly if there are changes during the school year. Additionally, some stakeholders may raise concerns about the administrative burden this could place on schools, especially smaller districts with limited resources.