This bill amends the certification requirements for school nurses in New Hampshire by allowing a superintendent to nominate and a school board to appoint a school nurse who must be a registered professional nurse licensed by the board of nursing. The previous requirement for school nurses to obtain a license from the Department of Education has been repealed, which is indicated by the deletion of RSA 200:29 and its subsequent reenactment. The new legal language specifies that the appointed school nurse will function within the school health program and be provided with the necessary facilities and equipment.

The fiscal impact of this bill is projected to result in a decrease in revenue for the Education Credentialing Fund, estimated at $18,000 per year starting in FY 2027, due to the elimination of the licensing requirement that previously cost $120 for a three-year period. With approximately 450 current license holders, the loss of income is attributed to the repeal of the licensing requirement. Local expenditures related to the bill are indeterminable, and the overall impact on state or local school district expenditures remains unclear. The bill is set to take effect upon its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 200:29