HB 1494 - DIGEST

(SUBSTITUTED FOR - SEE 1ST SUB)

Finds that additional school nurses with the appropriate expertise are needed in our schools to play a pivotal role in improving the health and educational success of the school-age child.

Provides that, beginning with the 2006-07 school year, each class I school district shall maintain a ratio of at least one school nurse for every two thousand full-time equivalent students. Beginning in the 2008-09 school year, each class I school district shall maintain a ratio of at least one school nurse for every one thousand five hundred full-time equivalent students.

Provides that, by December 31, 2008, the superintendent of public instruction shall submit a report to the legislature on the implementation of this act and the impact of the services provided. The report shall include recommendations about whether funding for school nurses should be an ongoing responsibility of the state and part of basic education.

Declares that the office of the superintendent of public instruction may receive gifts, grants, or endowments from public or private sources that are made from time to time, in trust or otherwise, for the use and benefit of the purposes of this act and spend gifts, grants, or endowments or income from the public or private sources to support the ratios provided for in this act, unless the receipt of the gifts, grants, or endowments violates RCW 42.17.710.

Expires December 31, 2008.

Appropriates the sum of . . . . . ., or as much thereof as may be necessary, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006, from the general fund to the office of the superintendent of public instruction for the purposes of this act.