Bill > S77

This bill amends North Carolina law to give parents more choice in selecting nursing service providers for children with disabilities who require nursing services as part of their Individualized Education Program (IEP). Under the new provisions, local educational agencies must allow parents to choose a nurse if specific conditions are met: the child's IEP requires nursing services, the nurse previously provided services to the child either before the IEP or before the child enrolled in their current school, the nurse is employed by a nursing agency and willing to provide the required services, the nursing agency meets all standard contract terms and requirements, and the contracted rate is equal to or less than rates for other contracted nurses. The bill defines nursing services as those that can only be provided by nurses licensed under North Carolina law. Importantly, the legislation emphasizes that this provision does not limit the local educational agency's responsibility to provide a free appropriate public education. The bill will become effective when signed into law and will apply starting with the 2025-2026 school year, giving parents more flexibility in selecting nursing support for their children with special needs.

Education, Government Affairs

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/S77