The Senate has rejected a bill that would have rolled back the requirements needed to be a school nurse.
The bill would have repealed requirements added a few years ago that school nurses have specific skills in public health and at least three years’ experience in pediatric medicine.
Some school districts have argued the added requirements have made it hard to fill school nurse positions.
But Democratic state Sen. Jay Kahn argued school nurses today have more responsibilities and need to be qualified.
“Nursing today in schools is a front-line health official.”
Other lawmakers noted that changes to the existing law have recently been made that give school nurses more time to adjust to the new requirements.