Summary:

 House Bill 195 (HB 195) provides a tiered salary system for school nurses. HB 195 provides minimum salaries at the same rate as teachers. HB 195 creates a program unit for National board certification of certain registered nurses. 

Legislation Overview:

 House Bill 195 in Section 1 amends Public Schools in Subsection A of Program Cost Calculation to insert (16) national board for certification of school nurses certification.
SECTION 2 adds a new section of the Public School Finance Act title School Nurses — Certification by National Board for Certification of School Nurses — Program Units.
This section provides a calculation for the number of program units for school nurses who are registered nurses and who are certified by the national board for certification of school nurses 
Department approval of these units shall be contingent on verification by the school district or charter school that these licensed school nurses hold certification by the national board and are receiving a one-time salary differential  as specified in this section.
SECTION 3 adds a new section of the School Personnel Act to provide level one licensure for school nurses, as follows:
A. A level one license is a provisional three-year license for beginning registered nurses who do not have at least three years of nursing experience prior to being licensed as a school nurse and that requires as a condition of licensure that the licensee undergo a formal mentorship program for at least one full school year and an annual intensive performance evaluation by a level three school nurse. A registered nurse with at least three years of nursing experience satisfactory to the department is not required to serve as a level one school nurse. 
B. Each school district shall provide for the mentorship and evaluation of level one school nurses. At the end of each year and license period, the level one school nurse shall be evaluated for competency. If the school nurse fails to demonstrate satisfactory progress and competence annually, the school nurse may be terminated. If the school nurse has not demonstrated satisfactory progress and competence by the end of the three-year period, the school nurse shall not be granted a level two license. 
C. Except in exigent circumstances defined by department rule, a level one license shall not be extended beyond the initial period. 
D. The department shall issue a standard level one license to an applicant who is at least 18 years of age who meets the criteria specified in this subsection.
E. The department shall establish competencies and qualifications for level one licensure. 
F. The minimum salary for a level one school nurse is the same as that for a level one teacher for a standard nine and one-half month contract. 
G. After the issuance of a license, a license holder shall not be required to meet changed requirements to maintain the license until such time as the license expires and the license holder seeks renewal of the license.
SECTION 4 adds a new section of the School Personnel Act to provide level two licensure for school nurses, as follows:
A. A level two license is a nine-year license granted to a school nurse who is a registered nurse who holds a level one license or has at least three years of registered nursing experience and who meets the qualifications for level two licensure and who annually demonstrates essential competency to nurse. If a level two school nurse does not demonstrate essential competency in a given school year, the school district shall provide the school nurse with additional professional development and mentorship during the following school year. If by the end of that school year the school nurse fails to demonstrate essential competency, a school district may choose not to contract with the school nurse.
B. The department shall issue a level two license to an applicant who has served successfully as a school nurse at level one or who has at least three years of registered nursing experience or is granted reciprocity as provided by department rules. An applicant for a level two license shall meet the criteria specified in this subsection.
C. The minimum salary for a level two school nurse is the same as that for a level two teacher for a standard nine and one-half month contract.
SECTION 5 adds a new section of the School Personnel Act to provide level three licensure to school nurses, as follows:
A. A level three license is a nine-year license granted to a school nurse who meets the qualifications for that level and who annually demonstrates nursing leadership competencies. If a level three school nurse does not demonstrate essential nursing leadership competency in a given school year, the school district shall provide the school nurse with additional professional development and mentorship during the following school year. If by the end of that school year the school nurse fails to demonstrate essential nursing leadership competency, a school district may choose not to contract with the school nurse. 
B. The department shall grant a level three license to an applicant who meets the criteria specified in this subsection.
C. The minimum salary for a level three school nurse is the same as that for a level three-A teacher for a standard nine and one-half month contract. 

Current Law:

 House Bill 195 amends Section 22-8-18 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1974, Chapter 8, Section 8, as amended) to add a program unit for school nurses not in the Public Schools code.  

Amendments:

 House Bill 195 is amended by the House Education Committee as to make an appropriation and increase the qualifications for a level three nurse license.
MAKING AN APPROPRIATION is inserted in the title at the end.
The appropriation is inserted as the last section of the bill.
SECTION 6. APPROPRIATION.--Two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the public education department for expenditure in fiscal year 2026 to increase school nurse minimum salaries as provided in this act. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2026 shall revert to the general fund.”
In Section 5, School Nurses—Level Three Licensure, “or” is deleted to require all items in the list for level three licensure, as follows:
B. The department shall grant a level three licens to an applicant who:
(1) has been a level two school nurse for at least three years; 
(2) holds a post-baccalaureate degree or is certified by the national board for certification of school nurses; 
(3) demonstrates nursing leadership competence as required by the department and verified by the local superintendent through a highly objective uniform statewide standard of evaluation; and
(4) meets other qualifications for the license.