Bill · H.R. 10694· House(119-HR-10694)
More Nurses in Rural Schools Act
- Introduced
- 10/1/2026
- Last activity
- 10/1/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Sponsored by
- Marie Perez
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is cited as the More Nurses in Rural Schools Act. It amends the Public Health Service Act to make certain nurses eligible for the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program. Specifically, it applies to nurses working in elementary or secondary schools located within a health professional shortage area. The bill allows these individuals to meet their service obligation by agreeing to serve as a school nurse for two years or longer. It also includes rules for part-time service, sets up annual certification requirements, and waives certain priorities and limitations. Finally, the bill mandates that not less than 5 percent of the funds made available for this section each fiscal year must be used for school nurse participation.
Yes· 3 of 9
Would children be better off under this?+4
Students in shortage areas gain better access to qualified nursing and health services in schools.
Would students be better off under this?+4
Students receive improved access to health services and school nursing staff.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+4
The bill specifically aims to place more nurses in schools within health professional shortage areas, disproportionately benefiting rural populations.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Loan Repayment Eligibility for School Nurses: Under Section 2, adding subsection (i)(1), nurses working in an elementary or secondary school within a health professional shortage area can become eligible to participate in the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program. This is positive because it helps these nurses pay off their school loans in exchange for their service.
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Guaranteed Funding Set-Aside: Under Section 2, adding subsection (i)(5), the bill requires that not less than 5 percent of the funds made available for the loan repayment program each fiscal year be used for school nurses. This is positive because it locks in dedicated financial support specifically for school nurses.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Increased Service Time for Part-Time Workers: Under Section 2, adding subsection (i)(2)(A), if a school nurse agrees to serve on less than a full-year or less than a full-time basis, the Secretary must increase the required time period so the individual works the same number of hours as a full-time, full-year worker. This might be seen as a burden because part-time workers have to stretch out their total timeline to meet the hour requirements.
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Annual Certification Requirement: Under Section 2, adding subsection (i)(2)(B), the Secretary must establish annual certification requirements to verify the number of hours worked by part-time or part-year individuals. This could be viewed as a negative administrative hurdle that individuals must complete.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Children+4Good For Rural Residents+4Good For Students+4Good For Low Income Households+3Good For Young Adults+3
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+4
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+4
- Education And Technology
- Increases Public School Funding+3
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+2
- 10/1/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Jennifer KiggansRepublican · Virginia