State Department of Education: state school nurse consultant.

Existing law establishes in the state government a State Department of Education and the department is responsible for various ongoing activities involving the public schools. Existing law requires the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to, among other duties, establish standards for the issuance and renewal of credentials, certificates, and permits. Existing law sets forth the minimum requirements for a services credential with a specialization in health for a school nurse, as provided. Existing law requires the governing board of a school district to give diligent care to the health and physical development of pupils, and authorizes the governing board of a school district to employ properly certified persons for that work. Existing law authorizes a school nurse, subject to approval by the governing board of the school district, to perform various pupil health care services. This bill would require the department to appoint a state school nurse consultant to be housed within the department. The bill would require the state school nurse consultant to be a school nurse credentialed by the commission, as specified, who has a minimum of 5 years of experience in school health program management. The bill would require the state school nurse consultant to work with school districts and school nurses to promote quality school nursing services and school health programs that address the broad health needs of pupils, among other responsibilities. The bill would require the state school nurse consultant to annually report to the Governor and the Legislature a summary of the year's activities and specific recommendations, as provided. This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.