Two nurse guest speakers () from Parker Family Health Center spoke about the clinic, a volunteer-based free health clinic in Monmouth County, and encouraged nurses to consider volunteering, particularly after retirement. Gius pointed out it’s always good for nurses to brush up on different nursing skills, and this would offer such an opportunity. For more information, contact [email protected], or call (732) 212-0777.
Gail Hall and Eileen Gavin then presented legislative updates, introduced with an informative and entertaining “School House Rock” video on how a bill becomes a law.
Among the topics covered were:
School Nurse Consultant Law
Paul’s Law (P.L. 2019, c. 290)
“Paul’s Law"; authorizes a parent or guardian to request use of individualized health care plan for students with seizure disorder. (01/09/2020)
New Legislation presented, as follows:
P.L.2020, c.152. Requires parent or guardian to notify child care centers if child will be absent; requires child care centers to notify parent or guardian in event of unexcused child absence.
P.L.2021, c.16- adult-use cannabis reform bills into law, legalizing and regulating cannabis use and possession for adults >21 years
P.L.2021, c.19-"The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act") and decriminalizing marijuana and hashish possession.
P.L.2021, c.25-clarifying marijuana and cannabis use and possession penalties for individuals < 21 years old.
P.L.2021, c.73.-Requires health benefits coverage for adolescent depression screenings.
P.L.2021, c.77.-Requires State to enter into contract and coordinate with certain cooperative purchasing systems for procurement of COVID-19 related goods and services by school districts.
P.L.2021 c.106 -Establishes Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic Task Force on Racial and Health Disparities.
P.L.2021, c.156- Permits school districts to administer student health surveys after prior written notification to parents and legal guardians.
On the Governor’s Desk:
Bill: A970 AcsScaSa (ACS/2R) Establishes Mental Health Screening in Schools Grant Program in DOE; appropriates $1 million.
Bill: A4544 AcaScaSa (3R)/S3250-Permits school nurse who is retired from TPAF to return to employment for up to two years without reenrollment in TPAF.
Bills on the “Move”
Bill: S225 Sca/A679
Summary: Provides that a student-athlete who sustains concussion must return to regular school activities prior to return to competition; requires school districts to implement a five-step return-to-competition process.
Bill: A1599/S585(2020)
Summary: Requires public school students with concussion to be evaluated by
licensed health care professionals before returning to school; requires school
districts to provide restrictions or limitations to students as needed.
Bill: S3723/A5419(2020)
Requires DCF and DOE to establish policies and procedures relating to child abuse and neglect and child abuse prevention during certain public health emergencies.
** American Rescue Plan: For every $1 invested on a full-time registered school nurse … society would gain $2.20
NJSSNA’s 3 BIG ASKs
#1-Now is the time to address inequities that have persisted in our schools
#2-Addressing the “school nurse shortage”
#3-Update antiquated health screening equipment.
Also covered …
School Nurse Regulations and Codes
N.J.A.C. 6A:16, Programs to Support Student Development
N.J.A.C. 6A:16-3. Comprehensive Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drug Abuse Programs
N.J.A.C. 6A: 16-4. Procedures for Alcohol & Other Substance Abuse Intervention
N.J.A.C. 6A:14 Special Education
School Nurse Regulations and NJSSNA Request for change
And School Nurse Pandemic Toolkit
The Legislative Committee of NJSSNA - NJ State School Nurses Association requested the following language clarification to N.J.A.C. 6A:16-2.3 c-1. - Health services personnel.
...A school district may supplement the services provided by the certified school nurse with non-certified nurses, provided that the non-certified nurse is assigned to the same school building or school complex as the certified school nurse. The school building or complex must be under a single building -level administrator or school principal.
On a final note, Eileen Gavin gave a “shout out” to Cathy Grano for helping her update the School Nurse Pandemic Tool kit, another resource for reliable information for Evidence-Based Practice.
Thank you Eileen and Gail for an excellent presentation on Legislative Updates.
At the end of our Gius read aloud her letter to the membership, in which she shared a very personal and moving experience with a Code Blue situation involving a child in her school. Gius handled the situation well (understatement) enlisting help from AED team members and, briskly assessing the patient and preparing for emergency transport. She saved the child’s life. Gius imparted the importance of keeping all nursing skills sharp, which is sometimes hard to do in a COVID “operated” work environment.
Gail Hall and Eileen Gavin then presented legislative updates, introduced with an informative and entertaining “School House Rock” video on how a bill becomes a law.
Among the topics covered were:
School Nurse Consultant Law
Paul’s Law (P.L. 2019, c. 290)
“Paul’s Law"; authorizes a parent or guardian to request use of individualized health care plan for students with seizure disorder. (01/09/2020)
New Legislation presented, as follows:
P.L.2020, c.152. Requires parent or guardian to notify child care centers if child will be absent; requires child care centers to notify parent or guardian in event of unexcused child absence.
P.L.2021, c.16- adult-use cannabis reform bills into law, legalizing and regulating cannabis use and possession for adults >21 years
P.L.2021, c.19-"The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act") and decriminalizing marijuana and hashish possession.
P.L.2021, c.25-clarifying marijuana and cannabis use and possession penalties for individuals < 21 years old.
P.L.2021, c.73.-Requires health benefits coverage for adolescent depression screenings.
P.L.2021, c.77.-Requires State to enter into contract and coordinate with certain cooperative purchasing systems for procurement of COVID-19 related goods and services by school districts.
P.L.2021 c.106 -Establishes Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic Task Force on Racial and Health Disparities.
P.L.2021, c.156- Permits school districts to administer student health surveys after prior written notification to parents and legal guardians.
On the Governor’s Desk:
Bill: A970 AcsScaSa (ACS/2R) Establishes Mental Health Screening in Schools Grant Program in DOE; appropriates $1 million.
Bill: A4544 AcaScaSa (3R)/S3250-Permits school nurse who is retired from TPAF to return to employment for up to two years without reenrollment in TPAF.
Bills on the “Move”
Bill: S225 Sca/A679
Summary: Provides that a student-athlete who sustains concussion must return to regular school activities prior to return to competition; requires school districts to implement a five-step return-to-competition process.
Bill: A1599/S585(2020)
Summary: Requires public school students with concussion to be evaluated by
licensed health care professionals before returning to school; requires school
districts to provide restrictions or limitations to students as needed.
Bill: S3723/A5419(2020)
Requires DCF and DOE to establish policies and procedures relating to child abuse and neglect and child abuse prevention during certain public health emergencies.
** American Rescue Plan: For every $1 invested on a full-time registered school nurse … society would gain $2.20
NJSSNA’s 3 BIG ASKs
#1-Now is the time to address inequities that have persisted in our schools
#2-Addressing the “school nurse shortage”
#3-Update antiquated health screening equipment.
Also covered …
School Nurse Regulations and Codes
N.J.A.C. 6A:16, Programs to Support Student Development
N.J.A.C. 6A:16-3. Comprehensive Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drug Abuse Programs
N.J.A.C. 6A: 16-4. Procedures for Alcohol & Other Substance Abuse Intervention
N.J.A.C. 6A:14 Special Education
School Nurse Regulations and NJSSNA Request for change
And School Nurse Pandemic Toolkit
The Legislative Committee of NJSSNA - NJ State School Nurses Association requested the following language clarification to N.J.A.C. 6A:16-2.3 c-1. - Health services personnel.
...A school district may supplement the services provided by the certified school nurse with non-certified nurses, provided that the non-certified nurse is assigned to the same school building or school complex as the certified school nurse. The school building or complex must be under a single building -level administrator or school principal.
On a final note, Eileen Gavin gave a “shout out” to Cathy Grano for helping her update the School Nurse Pandemic Tool kit, another resource for reliable information for Evidence-Based Practice.
Thank you Eileen and Gail for an excellent presentation on Legislative Updates.
At the end of our Gius read aloud her letter to the membership, in which she shared a very personal and moving experience with a Code Blue situation involving a child in her school. Gius handled the situation well (understatement) enlisting help from AED team members and, briskly assessing the patient and preparing for emergency transport. She saved the child’s life. Gius imparted the importance of keeping all nursing skills sharp, which is sometimes hard to do in a COVID “operated” work environment.