DELAWARE STATE SENATE

149th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE BILL NO. 62

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO EDUCATOR LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION, AND PREPARATION PROGRAMS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend § 1210, Title 14 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strikethrough and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 1210. Tier One — Provisional licensure.

(e) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (a) of this §, the Department shall issue a provisional license to an applicant for school nurse who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (BSN) from a regionally accredited college or university; and holds and maintains a current registered nurse license, recognized by the Delaware Board of Nursing; and holds and maintains a valid and current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and in the use of an automatic external defibrillator (AED) and completes within 24 months of hire (90) clock hours of training approved by the Department consisting of school nursing, health education, testing and screening, counseling and guidance, and introduction to exceptional children; and has competed a minimum of (3) years of supervises clinical nursing experience and has achieved a passing score on the NCLEX exam.

(f) (e) On or before January 20, 2022, the Department of Education shall provide a report to the General Assembly on the impact of the established requirement of the performance assessment under this subchapter. Such report shall be conducted by an independent entity. The report shall include, but not be limited to, a comparative analysis of student performance of students taught by novice educators having passed a performance assessment and students taught by novice educators who have not successfully passed a performance assessment. The report shall include overall educator retention rates, including information on educators who remain in original placement schools and educators who remain in the teaching profession. The report shall be inclusive of the academic years July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2021.

Section 2. Amend § 1210A, Title 14 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strikethrough and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 1210A. Tier Two — Initial licensure.

(g) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (a) through (e) of this section, the Department may issue an initial license to an applicant for school nurse who meets all other requirements for initial licensure except for passage of an examination of general knowledge, provided that the applicant must pass and examination of general knowledge within 1 calendar year of the date of hire. If proof of passage of an examination of general knowledge has not been provided during the time period specified, the initial license will be suspended and may be able to be reviewed by the Secretary of Education.

(g) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of this §, the Department shall issue an initial license to an applicant for school nurse who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (BSN) from a regionally accredited college or university; and holds and maintains a current registered nurse license, recognized by the Delaware Board of Nursing; and holds and maintains a valid and current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and in the use of an automatic external defibrillator (AED) and completes within 24 months of hire (90) clock hours of training approved by the Department consisting of school nursing, health education, testing and screening, counseling and guidance, and introduction to exceptional children; and has competed a minimum of (3) years of supervises clinical nursing experience and has achieved a passing score on NCLEX exam.

(h) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (a) and (c) of this section, the Department shall issue an initial license to an applicant who meets the criteria for meritorious new teacher candidate designation adopted pursuant to § 1203 of this title.

SYNOPSIS

This bill aligns requirements for initial licensure for school nurses to the unique role they play in Delaware public schools. It requires school nurses to hold a Bachelors Degree in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited college or university, maintain a registered nurse license, and be certified in CPR and in the use of an AED. It also requires school nurses to complete 90 clock hours of training approved by the Department of Education. And finally it requires schools nurses to complete three years of supervised clinical nursing experience and achieve a passing score on the NCLEX exam before a provisional or initial license can be granted.

Author: Senator Lopez