NURSE Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3262
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Education
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-07: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-19T09:07:57Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The "Nurses for Under-Resourced Schools Everywhere Act" (NURSE Act), H.R. 3262, aims to increase the number of school nurses in public elementary and secondary schools, particularly in under-resourced areas. It establishes a federal grant program to support hiring more registered nurses, recognizing their role in managing student health issues, chronic conditions, mental health, and barriers to learning. The bill is based on findings that many schools lack full-time nurses, despite their importance for student well-being and academic success.
Key Provisions
- Definitions:
- Eligible entity: A local educational agency (LEA, which manages public schools in a district) where at least 20% of students qualify for free or reduced-price school lunches (indicating economic need); a group of such LEAs; or a state educational agency (SEA) partnering with them.
- High-need LEA: An eligible LEA serving at least 15,000 qualifying students or where 40% or more of students qualify for school lunches.
- Nurse: A registered nurse licensed under state law.
- Other terms like "acuity" (level of student health needs, e.g., severity of chronic illnesses) and "workload" (time nurses spend on care and tasks) are defined to guide grant uses.
- Grant Program:
- The Secretary of Education awards competitive demonstration grants to eligible entities to fund hiring school nurses for public elementary and secondary schools.
- Grants can cover nurses serving multiple districts.
- For SEAs receiving grants, at least 90% of funds go to subgrants for LEAs, with up to 10% reserved for statewide activities like nurse training.
- Application Process:
- Entities apply with details on current nurse numbers, student health needs (acuity levels), and nurse workloads.
- The Secretary sets application timelines and requirements.
- Award Priorities:
- Preference for high-need LEAs, consortia of them, or SEAs partnering with them.
- Extra priority for areas with the greatest need for nursing services or schools lacking any school nurse.
- Funding Shares:
- Federal share: Up to 75% of costs per year, decreasing in later years to encourage ongoing state/local funding after the grant ends.
- Non-federal share: At least 25%, which can come from cash, in-kind contributions (e.g., donated services), or private sources; waivable for entities facing economic hardship.
- Reporting and Evaluation:
- The Secretary must report to Congress within 2 years of the first grant, assessing the program's success in adding nurses and its effects on student health, attendance, academic achievement, and classroom time.
- Funding Authorization:
- Authorizes "such sums as may be necessary" for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 (no specific dollar amount set).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new demonstration grant program under the Department of Education, without directly amending prior laws like the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (from which it borrows definitions). It builds on existing federal support for school health but creates a targeted, competitive funding mechanism focused on nurse hiring in economically disadvantaged schools, which was not previously authorized at this scale.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Department of Education gains responsibility for administering grants, evaluating outcomes, and reporting to Congress, potentially increasing administrative workload. State and local education agencies may see new funding opportunities but must contribute matching resources.
- On Citizens: Students in under-resourced public schools, especially those with chronic conditions (e.g., asthma, diabetes) or mental health needs, could benefit from better access to on-site nursing care, medication management, screenings, and crisis support, leading to fewer school absences and improved learning. Parents and communities in high-need areas may experience reduced health disparities.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic education and public health.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Primary: Local educational agencies (especially high-need ones), school nurses, and students in public elementary/secondary schools with economic challenges.
- Secondary: State educational agencies (for subgranting and training), teachers and school staff (who collaborate with nurses), parents of students with health needs, and professional groups like the National Association of School Nurses and American Academy of Pediatrics.
- Broader: Taxpayers funding the program and communities benefiting from healthier school environments.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The program aligns with federal authority over education funding (under the Spending Clause of the U.S. Constitution) and promotes equal access to health services in public schools without mandating state actions. It includes flexibility (e.g., waivers for hardship) to avoid undue burdens on low-resource areas.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; it supports public welfare and education without infringing on state rights, as participation is voluntary and competitive.
- Political: Highlights bipartisan interest in addressing school health gaps (introduced by representatives from different parties), potentially influencing future education budgets. It could spark debates on federal vs. local funding for non-academic services like health, emphasizing equity for low-income students amid rising chronic health issues post-pandemic.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (4)
Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Bresnahan, Robert P. [R-PA-8]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-07: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-05-07: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-05-07: Introduced in House
- 2025-05-07: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Nurses for Under-Resourced Schools Everywhere Act — issued 2025-05-07 — PDF (10 pages)