AN ACT TO REQUIRE AT LEAST ONE SCHOOL NURSE IN EVERY SCHOOL IN A public school unit beginning in the 2023‑2024 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‑47 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:

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

(49)    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.(c)  G.S. 115C‑218.75 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:

(k)      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.(d)  G.S. 115C‑238.66 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:

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

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

(22)    At least one school nurse required. – 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 2023‑2024 fiscal year the sum of one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) in recurring funds to increase the Instructional Support 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, 2023. Section 1 of this act applies beginning with the 2023‑2024 school year.