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HB 4505

Requiring each county school board to employ at least one full time school nurse

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Eric Brooks and 7 co-sponsors

West Virginia bill requires every county school district to hire at least one full-time nurse to manage student health needs and medical emergencies.

To House Education
#education(k12)
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Bill Summary · HB 4505

Legislative bill overview

HB 4505 mandates that each county school board in West Virginia employ at least one full-time school nurse. This is a minimum staffing requirement rather than a cap, meaning counties could employ more nurses if they choose. The bill currently sits in the House Education Committee after being introduced in January 2026.

Why is this important

School nurses serve critical health functions including managing chronic conditions, responding to medical emergencies, administering medications, and addressing communicable disease prevention—roles that became especially visible during the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, West Virginia counties have varying levels of nursing staff, with some having minimal coverage; this bill would establish a baseline standard ensuring every county has dedicated health personnel available to students.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal impact: Counties would bear the cost of salaries, benefits, and facilities for additional nursing positions, potentially straining already-tight school budgets in rural or less-wealthy counties without state funding mechanisms specified in the bill
  • Implementation timeline: The bill doesn't specify deadlines or transition periods for compliance, creating uncertainty about whether this is immediately enforceable or phased in
  • Staffing reality: West Virginia, like many states, faces shortages of qualified nurses; the bill doesn't address recruitment challenges or whether the market can supply enough trained nurses to fill all county positions simultaneously

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

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