ASSEMBLY EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 4378

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JULY 22, 2020

      The Assembly Education Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 4378 with committee amendments.

      As amended, this bill establishes the position of State School Nurse Consultant in the Department of Education.  Under the bill, the State School Nurse Consultant would work with school districts and school nurses to facilitate best practices in school nursing by advancing comprehensive school health services to address the health and wellness of all students throughout the State. 

      The bill requires the Commissioner of Education to appoint the State School Nurse Consultant.  The person appointed to the position is required to be a New Jersey certified school nurse who holds a master's degree and has demonstrated higher-level leadership with recent school nursing experience.  Once appointed, the State School Nurse Consultant would be required to collaborate with the Department of Health (DOH), other State agencies, and associated stakeholders in executing the duties of the position.  

      As amended and reported by the committee, this bill is identical to Senate Bill No. 2573 (1R), which also was reported by the committee on this same date.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to:

· revise the eligibility requirements for the position of State School Nurse Consultant.  As amended, the bill requires the person to be a New Jersey certified school nurse who holds a master's degree and has demonstrated higher-level leadership with recent school nursing experience.  As introduced, the person was required to be a certified school nurse who holds a master’s degree in nursing and has management experience and leadership and education administration training or skills;

· require the State School Nurse Consultant to collaborate with the DOH, other State agencies, and associated stakeholders in executing the duties of the position.  As introduced, the consultant was only required to collaborate with the DOH and the New Jersey State Board of Nursing; and

· include technical changes to clarify the mission and duties of the State School Nurse Consultant.