Sponsors (5)
Introduced January 9, 2025 by Frederica Wilson · Last progress January 9, 2025
The bill would substantially expand access to full‑time school nurses—improving student health, attendance, and equity in high‑need areas—at the cost of increased federal/state/local spending, added administrative burdens, and the risk that uneven implementation or funding constraints could leave some districts behind.
Students in participating schools will gain at least one full‑time registered nurse, increasing on‑site health coverage and improving emergency care access.
Students and families will see fewer health‑related absences and better day‑to‑day management of chronic conditions (e.g., asthma, diabetes), keeping students in class more often and reducing emergency visits.
Low‑income and high‑need school districts will receive prioritized funding and support, directing resources to areas with persistent nurse shortages and helping reduce disparities in school health access.
Taxpayers and state/local budgets will face higher costs to hire and retain full‑time nurses, and federal grant spending could increase deficits if not offset.
Low‑income, small, or administratively limited districts and their students may be left behind because wealthier districts can implement faster or smaller LEAs may fail to meet grant requirements, temporarily widening disparities.
Local school districts will face administrative and logistical burdens to recruit nurses, restructure staffing, and comply with program requirements, straining limited local capacity.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Creates a competitive five-year federal grant program to help education agencies recruit, hire, convert to full-time, and retain registered school nurses and meet recommended nurse-to-student ratios.
Creates a competitive five-year federal grant program to help state and local education agencies recruit, hire, convert to full-time, and retain registered nurses so that every elementary and secondary school can have at least one full-time registered nurse and meet recommended nurse-to-student ratios. The Department of Education must establish the program and issue regulations and guidance within 12 months, in consultation with HHS and Labor, and grantees must submit needs assessments, hiring plans prioritizing underrepresented recruitment, and annual disaggregated workforce reports.