Rhode Island House Bill H7195

Rhode Island 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/17/24
• Refer: 1/17/24

Caption

Establishes a one-year pilot outreach and tracking program at two public high and middle schools to address issues of asthma and attendance among students.

Impact

The bill brings about significant changes in how school health issues are viewed and managed, particularly around asthma's impact on educational outcomes. By coordinating efforts between the Rhode Island Department of Health, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Office of Medicaid, and the Rhode Island Data Hub, the legislation aims to systematically address asthma incidents in schools. Data will be collected and analyzed to develop targeted recommendations for reducing absenteeism associated with asthma, making it a proactive approach to student health and educational engagement.

Summary

House Bill 7195 establishes a one-year pilot outreach and tracking program during the 2024-2025 school year aimed at addressing the issues of asthma and its impact on student attendance in public schools. The program is to be implemented in two public high schools and two public middle schools, focusing on urban and suburban or rural districts identified as having high rates of student absenteeism linked to asthma. The initiative seeks to provide support, data gathering, and outreach to mitigate asthma-related absences and foster a healthier school environment for students.

Contention

While the bill has received support for its focus on student health and attendance, some concerns may arise regarding the implementation and effectiveness of the pilot program. Questions about resource allocation, the adequacy of community health worker involvement, and potential discrepancies in urban versus rural health service delivery may lead to discussions about the overall efficacy and equity of the program. Additionally, relying on data collection from schools raises issues regarding privacy and how this data will be protected and utilized to ensure student confidentiality.