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Primary Sponsor

Last Action

Ref to the Com on Appropriations, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House2025-03-20

Vote Breakdown

No floor votes recorded.

Plain Language Summary

This bill requires every public school in North Carolina to have at least one full-time, permanent school nurse starting in the 2025-2026 school year. The bill appropriates $95 million in state funding to help local school districts, charter schools, regional schools, and laboratory schools meet this requirement.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue that school nurses improve student health, attendance, and academic performance by providing immediate medical care, managing chronic conditions, and keeping students in the classroom ready to learn.
• •They contend that $95 million in state funding ensures the requirement is feasible and that this investment in student wellness and educational success is a worthwhile priority for the state.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents may argue that $95 million may not be sufficient to fully implement this requirement across all schools, particularly in rural areas where recruiting nurses is difficult, and that schools might still face gaps.
• •They could also contend that this is an unfunded or underfunded mandate that diverts resources from other educational priorities, or question whether the state funding truly supplements rather than replaces existing local nurse positions.