THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

INTRODUCED BY GRUCELA, BELFANTI, BRENNAN, BOYD, DALEY, DALLY, DONATUCCI, FREEMAN, HARKINS, HESS, JOHNSON, McILVAINE SMITH, MUNDY, MURPHY, MURT, PHILLIPS, SCAVELLO, SIPTROTH, SOLOBAY, STABACK AND YOUNGBLOOD, JUNE 22, 2009

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, JUNE 22, 2009  

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," further providing for employment of

school health personnel; and providing for full-time school

nurses.

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,

repealed and added July 15, 1957 (P.L.937, No.404), is amended

to read:

Section 1410.  Employment of School Health Personnel.--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 as provided under section

1410.1. 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 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.

Section 2.  The act is amended by adding a section to read:

Section 1410.1.  Full-Time School Nurses.--(a)  Each school

district shall employ a full-time school nurse in each school

building within the school district. The school nurse shall be

responsible for administering services provided under this

article.

(b)  The cost of adding a new full-time school nurse for each

school building shall be evenly shared by the Commonwealth and

the school district.

Section 3.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.