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TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 59-1-465 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT BEGINNING WITH THE SCHOOL YEAR 2003-04, A FULL-TIME SCHOOL NURSE IS REQUIRED FOR AND MUST BE ON THE PREMISES OF EACH ELEMENTARY PUBLIC SCHOOL IN THE STATE DURING REGULAR SCHOOL HOURS, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE MANNER IN WHICH FUNDING FOR THIS REQUIREMENT MUST BE PROVIDED.
Whereas, the General Assembly finds that one goal of public education is to assist all students in reaching their full academic potential. In this regard, school nurses:
(1) are instrumental in early detection of health problems that can interfere with learning or lead to more serious or disabling health conditions;
(2) prevent disease by teaching and encouraging healthy lifestyles and habits that have lifelong implications for children and their families;
(3) provide valuable health services, including administering medications and care management necessary for those students who have chronic or episodic health conditions and disabilities;
(4) care for students who incur injuries at school including injuries that require medical attention;
(5) assist families and students in accessing health care and procuring community health services;
(6) contribute to a child's ability to learn by improving overall health, therefore encouraging school attendance, readiness to learn, and enhanced learning potential and achievement; and
(7) provide direct health services and professional advice to teachers and staff members regarding health problems and concerns; and
Whereas, the General Assembly believes that each elementary public school in this State should have a full-time school nurse. Now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Article 5, Chapter 1, Title 59 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 59-1-465. Beginning with the school year 2003-04, a full-time school nurse is required for and must be on the premises of each elementary public school in this State during regular school hours. The General Assembly, annually in the General Appropriations Act, shall appropriate the necessary funds to the Department of Education from the Education Finance Act to fund the cost of providing a school nurse for each elementary public school. The Department of Education shall distribute these funds to the local school districts on a per school basis."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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