S 1054 General Bill, By Giese
 A Bill to amend the Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, by adding Section
 59-17-120 so as to require each school district in this State to have a
 certain nurse-student ratio for various school years and to provide for a
 supplemental funding plan for the nurse-student ratio requirements.

   01/19/94  Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-6
   01/19/94  Senate Referred to Committee on Education SJ-6

A BILL

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 59-17-120 SO AS TO REQUIRE EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THIS STATE TO HAVE A CERTAIN NURSE-STUDENT RATIO FOR VARIOUS SCHOOL YEARS AND TO PROVIDE FOR A SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING PLAN FOR THE NURSE-STUDENT RATIO REQUIREMENTS.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. The General Assembly finds that registered school nurses are integral professionals in the school system contributing to the process of education by identifying and referring to appropriate health providers students whose health statuses have a direct influence upon their educational achievements. For many children in South Carolina, school nurses are the only contact they have with the health care system. School nurses with their experience and knowledge of growth and behavioral patterns of children are in a unique position in the school setting to assist children in acquiring knowledge, in developing attitudes and values conducive to healthful living, and in meeting the children's needs resulting from disease, accidents, congenital defects, or psychological or social maladjustments. Health services provided as part of school programs for children are direct, constructive, and effective contributions to building a healthful and dynamic society.

SECTION 2. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 59-17-120. (A) Each school district in this State shall attain a registered school nurse-student ratio of at least one nurse for every one thousand students in grades 1-5 by school year 1994-95. The school nurse-student ratio must be reduced in school year 1995-96 to one nurse for every seven hundred and fifty students.

(B) The number of students in each district in a particular school year for purposes of this section must be based on the one hundred thirty-five day count of the average daily membership during the previous school year.

(C) The State Board of Education shall promulgate regulations to develop a supplemental funding plan to maximize supplemental funding sources including, but not limited to, Medicaid, Chapter One, Public Law 94-142, Public Law 99-457, and the Drug-Free School and Committee Act of 1986, for the school nurse positions required by this section in addition to the funding a school district receives from state, county, or district sources. These supplemental funding sources shall provide supplemental funding to the school districts which require additional funding in order to comply with the provisions of this section. The board shall work in conjunction with local school districts, the State Health and Human Services Finance Commission, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, the School Nurse Council of the South Carolina Nurses Association, the Joint Legislative Committee on Health Care Planning and Oversight, the Joint Legislative Committee on Families and Children, and any other interested group or agency to develop this supplemental funding plan. The supplemental funding plan must be developed and implemented by school year 1994-95."

SECTION 3. Effective July 1, 1995, the term "Health and Human Services Finanace Commission" as used in Section 59-17-120 of the 1976 Code, as added by Section 2 of this act, must be construed to mean the Department of Health and Human Services.

SECTION 4. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.