SPONSOR: Young
This bill establishes financial supplements for public schools to employ school nurses and mental health professionals. School districts must apply to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and specify the schools to hire these positions or use the funding for telehealth services.
Preference is given to schools demonstrating the greatest need based on criteria specified by the Department.
The bill creates the "School Nurse Financial Supplement Fund" and the "School Mental Health Professional Financial Supplement Fund", and requires DESE to create rules ensuring that positions funded with supplement money only perform duties associated with the job title, and preference be given to schools that demonstrate the greatest need.
This bill is similar to HB 2858 (2024) and to HB 1348(2023).
Statutes affected: