Bill > HB3023

This bill requires each county school board in West Virginia to employ at least one full-time registered professional nurse for each public school, replacing the previous language that mandated one nurse for every 1,500 kindergarten through seventh-grade students. The bill specifies that school nurses must be licensed by the West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses and outlines their responsibilities, which include performing student health needs assessments and collaborating with physicians, parents, and educational teams to manage specialized health procedures. The legislation also establishes a council of school nurses to develop procedural manuals and training recommendations, with provisions for school employees to be trained in performing specialized health procedures under nursing supervision. Additionally, the bill allows for potential state appropriations to support school health services that exceed the mandated staffing levels, particularly for students with high-acuity health needs. The goal is to ensure comprehensive and professional healthcare support for students in West Virginia's public schools.