Texas House Bill HB1938

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Caption

Relating to a notification requirement if a public school campus or open-enrollment charter school does not have a nurse assigned to the campus during all instructional hours.

Impact

The introduction of HB 1938 is expected to affect state education laws by establishing a formal requirement for schools to inform parents of the status of nursing staff on their campuses. This change could lead to increased accountability within school administrations to ensure adequate healthcare support for students. Furthermore, the bill could contribute to a broader discussion about health services in schools, prompting schools to maintain appropriate staffing levels to avoid notification requirements.

Summary

House Bill 1938 mandates that public schools and open-enrollment charter schools provide notification to the parents of students if there is no nurse assigned to the campus during all instructional hours for more than 30 consecutive instructional days. This requirement aims to enhance parental awareness regarding the availability of medical support in schools. By ensuring that parents are informed about the absence of a school nurse, the bill seeks to prioritize student health and safety in educational environments where immediate medical assistance may be necessary.

Contention

While the intent of HB 1938 is to protect student welfare by ensuring parents are aware of health resource availability, there may be points of contention regarding its implementation and potential costs. Some stakeholders might express concerns about the administrative burden placed on schools to comply with notification requirements, especially if staffing issues are exacerbated. Additionally, discussions may arise about whether a lack of a school nurse for an extended period significantly impacts student wellbeing, thus questioning the necessity of the notification in specific contexts.