NY State Senate Bill 2023-S4953

Senate Bill S4953

2023-2024 Legislative Session

Provides for the employment of school nurses for the inspection of pupils attending certain public schools

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Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Education Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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Actions

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	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Jan 03, 2024	referred to education
Feb 17, 2023	referred to education

co-Sponsors

2023-S4953 (ACTIVE) - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Education
Law Section:: Education Law
Laws Affected:: Amd §§901 & 902, Ed L
Versions Introduced in 2021-2022 Legislative Session:: S4782

2023-S4953 (ACTIVE) - Summary

Provides for the employment of school nurses for the inspection of pupils attending certain public schools; relates to school districts and boards of cooperative educational services.

2023-S4953 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S4953

SPONSOR: JACKSON
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the education law, in relation to public school nurse
staffing determinations in consultation with a nursing association

 
PURPOSE:

This legislation requires all public school districts and boards of
cooperative educational services employ at least one registered profes-
sional nurse in each school building.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 amends subdivision I of Section 901 of the Education Law to
require that all public schools in New York State employ a registered
professional nurse for the provision of school health services.

Section 2 amends paragraph b of subdivision 2 of Section 902 of the
Education Law requires all public school districts and boards of cooper-

ative educational services employ at least one registered professional
nurse in each school building.

Section 3 is the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Nurses are the primary caregivers in our public schools. This legis-
lation simply seeks to codify in law what is already in current practice
in many districts. Excluding larger cities, New York State Education
Department data indicates that on average there is one registered
professional nurse for every 600 students.

With increased homeland security and violence issues in schools; nurses
will be responsible for triage and emergency care. Their prior training
and skill enables the treatment of students and staff in acute situ-
ations. Nurses may also play a vital role in creating district and
building safety plans as required by New York's SAVE laws of 2000.

The school nurse is also responsible for assessing the physical, mental
and emotional needs of all students, demonstrating the ability to inter-
vene by making appropriate referrals, advocating for learners and
providing ongoing support and counseling. The presence of a nurse to
adequately address such situations is paramount to academic success. The
promotion of health and wellness through health education and counsel
provides for optimum levels of fitness and readiness for learning.

Further, there has been a significant increase in the number of students
in schools with chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, cerebral
palsy, muscular dystrophy, autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder. Many of these students need technological support, requiring
tube feeding, blood/glucose monitoring, catheterization, seizure manage-
ment and the administration of various medications, which can only be
provided by a licensed nurse.  Additionally, nurses ensure compliance
with mandated school health services such as immunizations, physical
exams and screenings for vision, hearing, and scoliosis.

With such an extraordinary spectrum of responsibilities, it is clear
that no school should be without such a professional as a responsible,
trusted member of its workforce.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2021-2022: S.4782 - Referred to Education/A.666 - Referred to Education

2019-2020: A.553 - Referred to Education

2017-2018: A.152 - Referred to Education

2015-2016: A.1518 - Referred to Education

2013-2014: A.1374 - Referred to Education

2011-2012: A.21 - Referred to Education

2009-2010: A.9411 - Referred to Education

2007-2008: A.378-A - Amend and Recommit to Education/S.5403-A - Amend
and Recommit to Education

2005-2006: A.4261 - Referred to Education/S.2750 - Referred to Education

2003-2004: A.208 - Referred to Education/S.2111 - Referred to Education

2001-2002: A.10557 - Referred to Education/S.7418 - Referred to Rules

 
STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

The cost for requiring a school nurse in public schools is minimal.
Medicaid reimbursement is available to school districts for some nursing
services.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

2023-S4953 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   4953
 
                        2023-2024 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             February 17, 2023
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by Sens. JACKSON, HARCKHAM, RAMOS, SALAZAR -- read twice and
   ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee  on
   Education
 
 AN  ACT  to  amend the education law, in relation to public school nurse
   staffing determinations in consultation with a nursing association

   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1.    Subdivision  1  of section 901 of the education law, as
 amended by section 57 of part A-1 of chapter 58 of the laws of 2006,  is
 amended to read as follows:
   1.  School  health  services,  as  defined  in subdivision two of this
 section, shall be provided by each  school  district  for  all  students
 attending  the  public schools in this state, [except in the city school
 district of the city of New York,] as provided in this  article.  School
 health  services shall include the services of a registered professional
 nurse[, if one is employed,] and shall also include such services as may
 be rendered as provided in this article in examining  students  for  the
 existence  of  disease or disability and in testing the eyes and ears of
 such students.
   § 2. Paragraph b of subdivision 2 of section 902 of the education law,
 as amended by chapter 501 of the laws of 2005, is  amended  to  read  as
 follows:
   b.  Any  such board or trustees [may] OF EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT OR BOARD
 OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES SHALL employ  [one  or  more  school
 nurses,  who  shall  be registered professional nurses, as well as other
 health professionals, as may be  required.]  A  MINIMUM  OF  ONE  SCHOOL
 NURSE,  WHO  SHALL  BE  A  REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL NURSE, IN EACH SCHOOL
 BUILDING.  ANY SUCH BOARD OR TRUSTEES OF EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT  OR  BOARD
 OF  COOPERATIVE  EDUCATIONAL  SERVICES  MAY  EMPLOY OTHER HEALTH PROFES-
 SIONALS, AS MAY BE REQUIRED. Such  registered  professional  nurses  and
 other  health  professionals  shall  aid  the  director of school health
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD07395-01-3

 S. 4953                             2
 
 services of the district and shall perform such duties, including health
 instruction for the benefit of the public schools as may  be  prescribed
 by  such board or trustees OR BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES,
 in compliance with each such health professional's practice act.
   § 3.  This act shall take effect immediately.

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Senate Bill S4953

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Sponsored By

Robert Jackson