February 23, 2018 - Bow, NH
This week was a relatively slow week in Concord, and neither the Senate nor the House will convene again until March 6, 2018 (everyone is off for Winter vacation week). What this means, however, especially for the House, is that there is an oncoming avalanche of legislation heading to the floor. Between March 6 and March 22, hundreds of pieces of legislation will need to be considered and dispensed with by the House, so there are some long session days impending.
School Nurse Certification Yesterday, the House passed HB 1217, which reduces the certification requirements for school nurses. Proponents of the bill emphasized cost savings to school districts of fewer certification standards to be met by school nurses, while opponents of the bill pointed to the complexities facing school nurses. Dealing with injuries, chronic illnesses, serving as a resource for psychological issues, all these involve school nurses. But in NH, we reduce standards to prior levels, rather than render pay more commensurate with more rigorous standards. And all of our school employees know we do not employ enough school nurses in our schools. The bill now moves to the Senate, which is likely to pass the bill and send it to the governor.
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