AN ACT

 

Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An  act relating to the public school system, including certain  provisions applicable as well to private and parochial  schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the  laws relating thereto," in school health services, further  providing for employment of school health personnel.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. Section 1410 of the act of March 10, 1949  (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, added  July 15, 1957 (P.L.937, No.404), is amended to read:

Section 1410. Employment of School Health Personnel.--(a) Except as otherwise provided in this article, all school districts alone or jointly with other districts or joint school boards shall employ school physicians and school dentists but only with the approval of the Secretary of Health, and shall compensate them on a basis agreed upon by the school physician or school dentist and the employing district or joint school board, and shall employ one or more school nurses. Health officers of municipalities may be appointed as school physicians by school districts or joint school boards. For special examinations recommended by school physicians, school districts or joint school boards may engage the services of [ophthamologists] ophthalmologists or other licensed medical specialists or of optometrists. Any school district alone or jointly with other districts or joint school boards may employ dental hygienists and such other technical and clerical personnel as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this article.

(b) A school nurse who is not CPR-certified by a Department of Health-approved certifying agency by July 1, 2013 2014, shall complete CPR training within one year. A person hired for a position as a school nurse after July 1, 2013 2014, shall be CPR- certified or complete CPR certification through a Department of Health-approved certifying agency within one year of the hire date. A school nurse shall complete CPR recertification within the time frame established by the approved certifying agency.

Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.