Legislation

The New York State Association of School Nurses (NYSASN) plays an active role in public policy issues that pertain to school health and the provision of professional school nursing services. To that end, NYSASN engages with elected officials to educate them about the impact of proposed legislation on the provision of school health and school nursing services.

Lobby Day

DATE: May 7,2024

If you are interested in attending or joining the NYSASN Advocacy group, please let us know. Contact president@nysasn.org

NYSASN has joined the Collective Care Team, which consists of School -Social Worker, Psychologists, Nurses and Counselors. 

NYSASN has paired with NYSUT are supporting the following bill. 

S.4953 (Jackson)

  • This legislation would require all public schools and BOCES to employ a registered professional nurse in each school building. S.1577 (Brouk) /A.902 (Gunther)
  • This legislation seeks to increase mental health services access in schools by requiring a study to be done on the amount of mental health professionals in schools and directs the state to develop a plan on the appropriate ratios.
  • Report on current ratios – social workers, school counselors, psychologists.
  • Looking into amendment to include nurses.
  • Idea of a formula on needs of the districts.

S.7558 (Jackson) /A.7743 (Gonzalez Ramos)

  • This legislation would require the department of education to develop the appropriate ratios of mental health professionals to students in schools.
  • For all four collective care groups – social workers psychologists, school counselors and nurses.
  • Idea of a formula on needs of the districts.

S. 1875 (Brouk) /A.4408 (Reyes)

  • This legislation would allow the state to apply for a Medicaid State Plan Amendment to extend Medicaid coverage to ALL students enrolled in Medicaid.
  • This bill will allow for more reimbursement of service providers.
  • It will also allow school district to receive more federal funding for reimbursement of services
  • Possibly lead to hiring of more critical health and mental health staff in schools.

Related Links

Attention School Nurses!

Access the 2024-2025 School Year NYS Immunization Requirements for School Entrance/Attendance from the NYSDOH.

These changes reflect the seriousness of ensuring all children are properly immunized. Perhaps the most important change to the regulations is the requirement that physicians are now required to enter the reason for their medical exemptions in NYSIIS. In addition, it requires the use of medical exemption forms approved by the New York State Department of Health or New York City Department of Education; a written statement from a physician is no longer allowed.