GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2001
S	1
SENATE BILL 975

 
 
Short Title:	Funds to Implement Healthy Schools Plans.	()	
Sponsors:	Senators Lee;  Jordan, Kinnaird, and Lucas.	
Referred to:	Appropriations/Base Budget.	
April 5, 2001

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to appropriate funds for the implementation of a healthy schoolS plan in each school system in the state.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.(a)  There is appropriated from the General Fund to State Aid to Local School Administrative Units the sum of five million eight hundred thousand dollars ($5,800,000) for the 2001‑2002 fiscal year and the sum of five million eight hundred thousand dollars ($5,800,000) for the 2002‑2003 fiscal year to provide either one school nurse position or an equivalent amount of funds to each local school administrative unit in the State.  These funds shall be used only for the implementation of the healthy schools plan that is approved by the State Board of Education.
SECTION 1.(b)  Prior to the receipt of a position or funds pursuant to this act, a local school administrative unit shall develop and submit to the State Board of Education a healthy schools plan. In developing the plan, the local school administrative unit shall collaborate with the local health department and other local health care providers. The local school administrative unit may also establish a school health services advisory council to advise it on the development and implementation of the plan.
SECTION 1.(c)  The purpose of the plan is to ensure that at least one nurse is available in each local school administrative unit to provide crisis care, provide services for chronically ill students, and educate students and school employees on good health practices.
SECTION 1.(d)  Pursuant to a plan, the local school administrative unit shall:
(1)	Employ at least one school nurse who holds school nurse certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Center of the American Nurses Association or the National Association of School Nurses to provide services and to supervise registered nurses with associate degrees, licensed practical nurses, or other trained individuals;
(2)	Employ at least one school nurse who holds school nurse certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Center of the National Association of School Nurses to provide services and to supervise services provided by outside health care providers; or
(3)	Contract with a local health department or other public or private health care provider for services.
SECTION 1.(e)  A local school administrative unit shall use funds received pursuant to the provisions of this act to supplement and not to supplant State, local, and federal funds used for school nurses or for nursing services in the public schools.  The State Board of Education shall not grant a waiver under G.S. 115C-105.26 or otherwise permit a local school administrative unit to use these funds for another purpose.
SECTION 1.(f)  All certified school nurses employed by local school administrative units under this act shall be treated in all legal respects as other certified instructional support personnel.
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2001.