S257 - Appropriations Act of 2017. (SL 2017-57)

Overview: Sec. 11E.1 of S.L. 2017-57 adds a new section (G.S. 130A-4.3) to Part 1, of Article 1, of Chapter 130A of the General Statutes directing the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to distribute funds appropriated for the School Nurse Funding Initiative to local health departments according to a formula that includes: (1) school nurse-to-student ratio, (2) the percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price meals, (3) the percentage of children in poverty, (4) per capita income, (5) eligibility as a low-wealth county, (6) mortality rates for children between one and 19 years of age, (7) the percentage of students with chronic illnesses, and (8) the percentage of county population consisting of minority persons. These funds must supplement and not supplant other state, local, or federal funds appropriated for the same purpose.

The new statute also requires the Division of Public Health (DPH) to ensure that school nurses funded pursuant to the section: (1) serve as the coordinator of the health services program, (2) provide health education to students, staff, and parents, (3) identify health and safety concerns in the school environment, (4) support healthy food services programs, (5) promote healthy physical education, sports policies, and practices, (6) provide health counseling, assess mental health needs, provide interventions, and refer students to appropriate school staff or community agencies, (7) promote community involvement in assuring a healthy school, (8) provide health education and counseling, and (9) be available to assist the county health department during a public health emergency. Additionally DPH must ensure school nurses funded with the funds to not assist in any instructional or administrative duties associated with a school's curriculum.

This section became effective July 1, 2017.