Introduced Version
House Concurrent Resolution 92 History
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Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 92
(By Delegates Perdue, Hatfield, Lawrence, Manypenny, Moye, Perry,
D. Poling, Rodighiero, Staggers, Fleischauer, Moore, Andes, Lane,
C. Miller, J. Miller and Rowan)
[Originating in the Committee on Health and Human Resources;
Reported April 8, 2009.]
Requesting the Committee on Government and Finance to conduct a
study on requiring the establishment of school-based health
centers in new school constructions.
W
HEREAS
, School-based health centers (SBHC) are health clinics
that bring preventative and immediate care to children and
adolescents in West Virginia schools; and
W
HEREAS
, Other services include health education, treatment of
acute illness, dental care and management of chronic illness - -
with twenty-five SBHC's providing mental health services such as
bullying, suicide prevention and grief counseling; and
W
HEREAS
, There are currently forty-eight SBHC's in twenty four
counties in the state (most are sponsored as satellite clinics of
community health centers with several other sites being sponsored
by hospitals); and
W
HEREAS
, There have been over 67,000 student visits to SBHC's
by 24,000 students recorded during the 2006-2007 school year,
W
HEREAS
, Studies by John Hopkins University and others show that SBHC's decrease absenteeism and tardiness; reduce behavior and
discipline problems; and save money by reducing the number of
emergency room visits; and
WHEREAS, SBHC's provide ample accessibility and cost-effective
care, while also playing an active role in helping students become
healthy learners placing essential services in the right
environment, and are strongly supported by students, parents and
school staff; and
WHEREAS, SBHC's work with, but do not replace the child's
physician or school nurse and may serve as the child's medical home
if needed; and
WHEREAS, Although each SBHC in West Virginia is unique, all
share the following characteristics: (1) Are all located in schools
or on school grounds; (2) Work cooperatively with school personnel
to become an integral part of the school; (3) Provide a
comprehensive range of services; (4) Provide services regardless of
the student's financial situation; (5) Use a multi-disciplinary
team of providers to provide care; (6) Provide medical services
through a qualified health provider such as a community health
center or a hospital; (7) Require parents to sign written consents
for their children to receive services and (8) Have an advisory
board consisting of community representatives, parents, youth, and
family organizations, to provide planning and oversight; and
WHEREAS, Many schools without a SBHC would like to start a center and requests for new sites continue to increase from school
nurses, community health centers and hospitals; and
WHEREAS, Under the current Education Policy 6200 "Handbook on
Planning School Facilities" SBHC's are currently an optional
service; and
WHEREAS, Representatives from the WV Department of Education,
the WV School Building Authority, the Primary Care Association, the
WV School-Based Health Assembly, local SBHC's or their sponsoring
community health centers and other pertinent entities shall work
conjunctively with the Legislature in providing input and
recommendations into the development of this policy; therefore be
it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby
requested to study the feasibility of requiring all new school
constructions to have school-based health centers; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2010, on
its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts
of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations;
and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this
study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be
paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.