§ 38-621 — Assignment to schools; hours; level of services; nurse or athletic trainer at sponsored athletic events; funding.

District of Columbia § 38-621

• Jurisdiction: District of Columbia
• Title 38: Educational Institutions.
• Ch. 6: Student Health Care.
• Subch. II: Public School Nurses.

Text

(a) A registered nurse shall be assigned to each District of Columbia (“District”) elementary and secondary public and public charter school a minimum of 12 hours per week during each semester and during summer school if a summer school program is operated.

(1) The minimum hours per week of registered nurse services at each school shall increase from 12 to 16 hours per week beginning 1 year after December 10, 1987. The minimum hours per week of registered nurse services at each school shall increase from 16 to 20 hours per week beginning 2 years after December 10, 1987.

(2) Licensed practical nurses may be used to supplement the registered nurse work force in meeting the required 20 hours per week minimum registered nurse services at each elementary and middle school. The licensed practical nurses shall perform their duties under the appropriate supervision and in general collaboration with the registered nurses.

(c) Repealed.

(c-1) Any school that, on October 25, 2016, received school nursing services pursuant to this section that exceeded the hours per week prescribed by subsection (b) of this section shall continue the level of service existing on that date, or the level recommended by the Department of Health's risk-based assessment, whichever is greater, for school year 2018-2019.

(d) Appropriate medical coverage, as defined in rules issued by the Board of Education in accordance with subchapter I of Chapter 5 of Title 2 , and in consultation with the Director, Department of Health, shall be provided by the Board of Education at any interscholastic athletic event if the event is sponsored by a District public school, occurs in the District, and is identified as requiring medical coverage by rule. This medical coverage may include, but is not limited to:

(1) A licensed medical doctor;

(2) A registered nurse;

(3) A certified athletic trainer;

(4) An emergency medical technician (“EMT”) or paramedic;

(5) A certified prehospital care provider (as determined by the Director, Department of Health); or

(6) An adult trained by the Red Cross with current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (“CPR”), first aid, or life-saving.

(1) Appropriate medical coverage shall be consistent with the risk of injury involved in the interscholastic athletic event. The medical personnel that shall be present at an interscholastic athletic event that occurs in the District and that is sponsored by a District secondary public school shall be detailed as follows:

(A) For varsity football, a licensed medical doctor and for non-varsity football, a licensed medical doctor or certified athletic trainer;

(B) For basketball, wrestling, soccer, indoor or outdoor track and field events, or cross-country, at least 1 licensed doctor, certified athletic trainer, registered nurse, EMT or paramedic, or any other certified prehospital care provider, as determined by the Director, Department of Health;

(C) For volleyball, baseball, softball, or swimming, at least 1 licensed medical doctor, certified athletic trainer, registered nurse, EMT or paramedic, any other certified prehospital care provider, as determined by the Director, Department of Health, or adult trained by the American Red Cross with current certification in CPR, first aid, or life-saving;

(D) For tennis or golf, medical personnel coverage shall be optional as financial resources allow; and

(E) For any other sport, the appropriate level of medical personnel coverage, commensurate with the risk of injury involved, shall be set by the Superintendent of Schools of the District of Columbia, in consultation with the Director, Department of Health, and approved by the Board of Education; and

(2) The medical personnel coverage services shall be in addition to the minimum hours of registered nurse services required by subsection (a) or (b) of this section.

(f) Sufficient funds to carry out the requirements of this section shall be appropriated out of the general revenues of the District.

(g) Beginning with the fiscal year 1991, the responsibility for implementation of this act shall be transferred from the Department of Human Services to the Board of Education.

Legislative History

Dec. 10, 1987, D.C. Law 7-45, § 2, 34 DCR 6845; July 25, 1990, D.C. Law 8-149, § 2, 37 DCR 3717; Aug. 17, 1991, D.C. Law 9-29, § 2, 38 DCR 4213; Mar. 20, 1998, D.C. Law 12-60, § 401, 44 DCR 7378; Apr. 13, 1999, D.C. Law 12-224, § 2, 46 DCR 483; Apr. 13, 2005, D.C. Law 15-353, § 602, 52 DCR 2331