Eligibility of certain school nurses to participate in National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program

Section 338B of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254l–1) is amended by adding at the end the following: (i) Eligibility of certain school nurses (1) Special rule Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the Secretary may permit an individual to meet the requirement of subsection (f)(1)(A)(iv), relating to a period of obligated service, by agreeing to serve for a time period equal to 2 years, or such longer period as the individual may agree, as a school nurse in an elementary or secondary school located within a health professional shortage area (designated under section 332). (2) Part-time service (A) In general In the case of an individual described in paragraph (1) who agrees to serve in a position as a school nurse on less than a full-year basis or less than a full-time basis (or both), the Secretary shall increase the time period of service required under paragraph (1) so that such individual is required to serve the same number of hours as an individual serving in such a position on a full-year, full-time basis. (B) Certification The Secretary shall establish annual certification requirements for individuals described in subparagraph (A) for the purpose of verifying the number of hours worked by such individuals. (3) Waiver of certain priorities and limitations The assignment priorities and limitations under sections 333(a)(1)(D), 333(b), 333A(a)(1)(B)(ii), and 333A(a)(1)(B)(iii) shall not apply to an individual described in paragraph (1). (4) Definitions In this subsection: (A) Elementary school; secondary school The terms elementary school and secondary school have the meanings given such terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801). (B) School nurse The term school nurse means a registered nurse who is employed by a school or local educational agency or State or State educational agency and is qualified under State law to provide assessment, diagnosis, counseling, educational, therapeutic, and other health services to meet student needs. (5) Set-aside Of the amount made available to carry out this section for a fiscal year, not less than 5 percent shall be used to provide for the participation of school nurses in the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program as authorized by this subsection..