SF 4871

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 03/14/2024 09:23am

A bill for an act
relating to education; creating a School Health Advisory Committee; requiring
reports.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin SCHOOL HEALTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin School Health Advisory Committee established. new text end

new text begin A School Health
Advisory Committee is established to advise the governor and legislature on policies and
practices related to school health.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Duties. new text end

new text begin (a) The advisory committee must review and recommend to the governor,
legislature, and state agencies policies and programs that:
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new text begin (1) are effective in safeguarding and promoting the health of children at school;
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new text begin (2) prevent or remediate health barriers to learning;
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new text begin (3) include accurate health status appraisals and documentation of the needs of children;
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new text begin (4) include evidence-based school nursing services and health services provided by
professional school nurses and unlicensed assistive personnel; and
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new text begin (5) align with the standards of practice for school nursing practice.
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new text begin (b) The advisory committee must identify essential student health data to collect and
report annually the health needs of Minnesota children in schools, including but not limited
to the health needs of students with special needs or health conditions and students with
barriers to learning. The advisory committee must identify inefficient or ineffective health
or educational practices and recommend remediation.
new text end

new text begin (c) The advisory committee must establish a safe, effective, and coordinated model of
school services for children with chronic and acute health conditions, including but not
limited to asthma, diabetes, severe allergic reactions, and epilepsy, that facilitates a sustained
school environment and protects the health of children while supporting their academic
achievement.
new text end

new text begin (d) The advisory committee must establish a model of school services that facilitates
coordinated care between medical and health care systems and schools, including timely
communication of a child's health status and the impact of health status on learning and
other educational challenges.
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new text begin (e) The advisory committee must recommend funding streams for school health services,
including public funding such as medical assistance reimbursement, private insurers, universal
health care funding, and community prevention initiatives.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Membership. new text end

new text begin (a) Members of the advisory committee must be appointed by
the governor for terms of two years. Members must be appointed by September 1, 2024.
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new text begin (b) Appointed members must represent the following:
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new text begin (1) three registered nurses or licensed school nurses;
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new text begin (2) one public health nurse serving in a school;
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new text begin (3) one pediatrician;
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new text begin (4) one family practice physician;
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new text begin (5) one pediatric nurse practitioner;
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new text begin (6) one health care provider specialized in chronic or complex health conditions;
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new text begin (7) one child or adolescent mental health practitioner;
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new text begin (8) one student services educator, school psychologist, school social worker, school
counselor, or school chemical health specialist;
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new text begin (9) one school board member;
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new text begin (10) one school administrator;
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new text begin (11) one special education administrator;
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new text begin (12) two parents of different children with special health care needs;
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new text begin (13) one representative of the Minnesota Board of Nursing;
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new text begin (14) one administrator from the Department of Education;
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new text begin (15) one administrator from the Department of Health; and
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new text begin (16) four legislators, two members of the house of representatives and two members of
the senate.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Meetings and reporting. new text end

new text begin The advisory committee must meet monthly for the
first year and at least quarterly thereafter. By January 15 of each year, the advisory committee
must report to the governor's office and the legislative committees with jurisdiction over
health and kindergarten through grade 12 on their guidance for policies and practices related
to school health.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Administration. new text end

new text begin The advisory committee must be administratively supported
by the Departments of Education and Health with assistance from the Board of Nursing.
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