AN ACT TO REQUIRE AT LEAST ONE SCHOOL NURSE IN EVERY SCHOOL IN A public school unit beginning in the 2024‑2025 school year AND TO appropriate additional FUNDS TO MEET THAT REQUIREMENT.

Whereas, the health, well‑being, and educational success of public school students in North Carolina are top priorities of the General Assembly; and

Whereas, employing school nurses has been shown to have a critical and positive impact on the health, well‑being, and educational success of public school students in kindergarten through grade 12 due to services directed toward keeping students healthy, in class, and ready to learn; Now, therefore,

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.(a)  G.S. 115C‑12 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:

(50)    To Provide at Least One School Nurse in Every School. – The State Board of Education shall ensure that each school operated under the control of the State Board of Education, including schools operated under Article 9C of this Chapter, is staffed by at least one full‑time, permanent school nurse.

SECTION 1.(b)  G.S. 115C‑47 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:

(70)    To Provide at Least One School Nurse in Every School. – Local boards of education shall ensure that each school within the local school administrative unit is staffed by at least one full‑time, permanent school nurse.

SECTION 1.(c)  G.S. 115C‑150.12C is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:

(37)    Provide at least one school nurse. – The board of trustees shall ensure that the school is staffed by at least one full‑time, permanent school nurse.

SECTION 1.(d)  G.S. 115C‑218.75 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:

(p)      At Least One School Nurse. – A charter school shall ensure that the school is staffed by at least one full‑time, permanent school nurse.

SECTION 1.(e)  G.S. 115C‑238.66 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:

(23)    Provide at least one school nurse. – A regional school shall ensure that the school is staffed by at least one full‑time, permanent school nurse.

SECTION 1.(f)  G.S. 116‑239.8(b) is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:

(26)    Provide at least one school nurse. – A laboratory school shall ensure that the school is staffed by at least one full‑time, permanent school nurse.

SECTION 2.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction for the 2024‑2025 fiscal year the sum of eighty‑nine million dollars ($89,000,000) in recurring funds to increase the School Health Personnel Allotment. These funds shall be used to increase positions for school nurses in order to provide at least one full‑time, permanent school nurse in every school in a public school unit.

SECTION 3.  Funds provided pursuant to this act shall supplement and not supplant any funds from any source already provided for school nurses.

SECTION 4.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2024. Section 1 of this act applies beginning with the 2024‑2025 school year.