H259 - 2023 Appropriations Act. (SL 2023-134)

Overview: Section 7.27 of S.L. 2023-134 requires local boards of education to provide school health support services. The State Board of Education (SBE) is required to create a funding allotment for school health personnel positions, which include school psychologists, school counselors, school nurses, and school social workers. Local boards cannot transfer positions out of the allocation for school health personnel, but they can convert positions to dollar equivalents for contracted services directly related to school psychology, school counseling, school nursing, and school social work.

The SBE can adopt rules to establish qualifications and training required for certified school nurses except that the SBE cannot require a nurse to obtain a four-year degree as a condition of employment.

This section also prohibits school counselors from assisting with the coordination or administration of standardized testing.

This section became effective July 1, 2023.