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SB 2140

Education, Dept. of - As introduced, changes from July 31 to July 1 the date by which an LEA director of schools must send a report to the department if the LEA did not contract for or employ at least one school nurse for every 750 students. - Amends TCA Title 49 and Title 68.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Creates a grant program through the DOE to fund full-time school nurses (RN/LPN) for LEAs/charter schools, capped at average LPN cost.

Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/21/2026
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Bill Summary · SB 2140

Summary of Bill: SB 2140 / HB 2329 (Tennessee, 114th Legislature)

Notes:
- Jurisdiction: Tennessee
- Topic: Education, Department of
- Status: Amended, introduced as SB 2140; related House bill HB 2329
- Focus: Changes to reporting deadline regarding school nurse staffing and creation of a Department of Education grant program to fund full-time school nurses

1) Main purpose and intent

  • The bill adds a targeted grant program within the Tennessee Department of Education (DOE) to assist Local Education Agencies (LEAs) and public charter schools in employing full-time school nurses.
  • It establishes a mechanism to subsidize, through grants, the salary and benefits for qualified nurses (RN or LPN) who provide health services to the general student population.
  • It also creates a funding framework that ties grant awards to the per-position cost (capped at the average cost of employing an LPN), aiming to expand access to full-time nursing support in schools that currently lack it.

2) Key provisions and changes

Reporting deadline (existing provision amended)

  • Section 49-3-359(c)(2): The deadline by which an LEA director must report to the Department if the LEA did not contract for or employ at least one school nurse for every 750 students is changed.
    • Old deadline: July 31
    • New deadline: July 1

New grant program for school nurses

  • DOE is authorized to create and administer a grant program to fund full-time school nurses in LEAs and public charter schools.
  • Eligible positions:
    • Full-time school nurses (RN or LPN) who provide health services to the general student population.
  • Grant parameters:
    • Grants limited to salary and benefits for qualifying nurses.
    • Each grant per nurse position capped at the average cost of employing an LPN (as determined by DOE in consultation with the Department of Health).
    • Loans or grants that exceed LPN costs are not provided; LEAs/charter schools may supplement with local or other funds.
  • Prioritization and administration:
    • DOE may prioritize grant awards based on demonstrated need.
    • Recipients can combine grant funds with local or other funding.
  • Staffing implications:
    • Since roughly two-thirds of nurses in Tennessee are RNs, many positions may cost more than the grant cap if RNs are used; LEAs may opt for LPNs to maximize grant coverage, though supervision costs for LPNs may create additional unreimbursed expenses.

3) Who would be affected

  • Local Education Agencies (LEAs) and public charter schools in Tennessee that currently do not have a full-time school nurse for every 750 students.
  • School nurses (RNs and LPNs) employed or funded through the grant program.
  • DOE and the Department of Health (in consultation) for administering the grant cap and determining the average LPN cost.
  • Students and school health services programs, via increased access to full-time nursing staff.

4) Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date: The act takes effect upon becoming law (immediate effect with no separate delayed trigger).
  • Reporting deadline change:
    • Aligns LEA reporting deadline to July 1 each year (previously July 31).
  • Fiscal implications:
    • State government: Estimated increased expenditures up to approximately $30.54 million in FY2026-27, and about $30.53 million in subsequent years (cap at average LPN cost).
    • Local government: Permissive revenue and expenditures up to the same amount, subject to local matching/funding.
    • One-time DOE implementation cost estimated around $10,000 to set up the grant in ePlan.
  • Certainty and scope:
    • Specific grant amount per nurse position is capped at the average LPN cost; actual grant effectiveness will depend on local staffing decisions, whether RNs or LPNs are hired, and any additional local funding.

5) Practical implications and considerations

  • The grant design aims to expand access to school nursing while controlling the cost through a cap tied to LPN averages.
  • Potential gaps if many districts prefer RNs (who typically cost more than the cap), possibly requiring local funds to cover higher salaries.
  • The shift in reporting deadline may affect LEA compliance timelines and DOE monitoring cycles.

If you want, I can provide a plain-language one-page brief or a side-by-side comparison with the current law.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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