Current Status Introducing Body:House Bill Number:3498 Primary Sponsor:Waites Committee Number:21 Type of Legislation:GB Subject:Nurse-student ratio Residing Body:House Current Committee:Education and Public Works Companion Bill Number:2 Date Tabled:Feb 04, 1992 Computer Document Number:NO5/7189.BD Introduced Date:Feb 12, 1991 Last History Body:House Last History Date:Feb 04, 1992 Last History Type:Tabled in Committee Scope of Legislation:Statewide All Sponsors:Waites Corning Wright Manly Whipper Type of Legislation:General Bill
Bill Body Date Action Description CMN
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3498 House Feb 04, 1992 Tabled in Committee 21
3498 House Apr 24, 1991 Continued in Committee 21
3498 House Feb 12, 1991 Introduced, read first time, 21
referred to Committee
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TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 59-17-120 SO AS TO REQUIRE EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THIS STATE TO HAVE A CERTAIN NURSE-STUDENT RATIO FOR VARIOUS SCHOOL YEARS AND TO PROVIDE FOR A SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING PLAN FOR THE NURSE-STUDENT RATIO REQUIREMENTS.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. The General Assembly finds that registered school nurses are integral professionals in the school system contributing to the process of education by identifying and referring to appropriate health providers students whose health statuses have a direct influence upon their educational achievements. For many children in South Carolina, school nurses are the only contact they have with the health care system. School nurses with their experience and knowledge of growth and behavioral patterns of children are in a unique position in the school setting to assist children in acquiring knowledge, in developing attitudes and values conducive to healthful living, and in meeting the children's needs resulting from disease, accidents, congenital defects, or psychological or social maladjustments. Health services provided as part of school programs for children are direct, constructive, and effective contributions to building a healthful and dynamic society.
SECTION 2. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 59-17-120. (A) Each school district in this State shall attain a registered school nurse-student ratio of at least one nurse for every two thousand students by school year 1992-93. The school nurse-student ratio must be reduced after that year as follows:
(1) school year 1993-94: one nurse for every one thousand five hundred students;
(2) school year 1994-95: one nurse for every one thousand students;
(3) school year 1995-96: one nurse for every seven hundred fifty students.
(B) The number of students in each district in a particular school year for purposes of this section must be based on the one hundred thirty-five day count of the average daily membership during the previous school year.
(C) The State Board of Education shall promulgate regulations to develop a supplemental funding plan to maximize supplemental funding sources including, but not limited to, Medicaid, Chapter One, Public Law 94-142, Public Law 99-457, and the Drug-Free School and Committee Act of 1986, for the school nurse positions required by this section in addition to the funding a school district receives from state, county, or district sources. These supplemental funding sources shall provide supplemental funding to the school districts which require additional funding in order to comply with the provisions of this section. The board shall work in conjunction with local school districts, the State Health and Human Services Finance Commission, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, the School Nurse Council of the South Carolina Nurses Association, the Joint Legislative Committee on Health Care Planning and Oversight, the Joint Legislative Committee on Children, and any other interested group or agency to develop this supplemental funding plan. The supplemental funding plan must be developed and implemented by school year 1992-93."
SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.