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Primary Sponsor

Last Action

Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate2025-03-24

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 applies to traditional public schools, charter schools, regional schools, and laboratory schools, and appropriates $95 million in state funding to help schools meet this requirement.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue that school nurses are essential for student health and academic success by managing chronic conditions, providing first aid, tracking vaccinations, and keeping sick students from spreading illness in classrooms.
• •They contend that having a nurse in every school ensures equitable access to health services for all students regardless of family income, and that healthier students attend school more regularly and perform better academically.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents may argue that the $95 million appropriation is a significant state expenditure that could strain the budget or be allocated to other education priorities.
• •Some may also question whether every school truly needs a full-time nurse, suggesting that smaller schools or those with lower health needs might be better served by shared nurse positions across multiple schools, which could be more cost-effective.