This bill requires the District of Columbia Department of Health to create a digital system for submitting student health and dental certificates while banning healthcare providers from charging fees for these forms. It directly affects families of students in public and private schools by eliminating the current financial and logistical burden of obtaining and submitting paper forms, as well as reducing the risk of lost documentation. Additionally, the legislation mandates a new tiered fee structure for health professional licensing that aligns costs with the education level required for each profession. These changes aim to modernize the registration process and encourage more entry-level health workers to practice in the District.
The Student Health Care Amendment Act of 2026 updates health requirements for students in public, charter, private, and independent schools in the District of Columbia. It mandates that parents and guardians annually submit standardized forms for physical and oral health, which must include blood lead level testing for specific age groups. The bill also transfers responsibility for managing student access to emergency epinephrine from the Office of the State Superintendent of Education to the Department of Health and designates the Maryland Poison Center as the District's official poison control center. Additionally, the legislation dissolves the existing Perinatal and Infant Health Advisory Committee to align with new organizational structures. These changes aim to streamline health documentation and clarify administrative roles within the school health program.
This bill updates District of Columbia education laws to focus on overall attendance patterns rather than just unexcused absences. It requires schools to track and report chronic absenteeism (frequent missed days) and attendance improvements after student support team referrals, replacing previous "unexcused absence" language. Key changes include moving school census deadlines from November 1 to December 15, adding chronic absenteeism metrics to reporting, and updating school enrollment and charter school references. These adjustments directly affect DC Public Schools (DCPS), public charter schools, and education research partnerships that collect attendance data.
This bill requires all District of Columbia public and public charter schools to provide at least 40 hours per week of school nurse coverage during school days, effective August 1, 2028. It also establishes a program offering school nurses up to $10,000 annually to help repay student loans and cover eligible educational expenses. The law directly affects DC public and charter schools by mandating nurse staffing levels and school nurses through financial support for education costs. The State Board of Education unanimously supported the bill, citing current coverage gaps as a concern for student health.
This bill amends D.C. school attendance laws to streamline truancy responses. It reduces the required unexcused absence threshold for school notifications from 10 to 5 full days, requiring schools to alert the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) after the 5th unexcused absence. For students with 10 unexcused absences, schools must notify the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), which will send warning letters to students and caregivers about potential prosecution for 15+ absences. The bill also transfers educational neglect referrals from Child and Family Services to the Department of Human Services (DHS) for support services and mandates a unified referral system by March 2028. These changes directly affect public schools, students (ages 5+), parents/guardians, and D.C. agencies handling truancy.
This bill would require all public, charter, and participating private schools in Washington, D.C., to provide free breakfast, lunch, and after-school snacks to every student starting in the 2025-2026 school year, eliminating current income-based eligibility requirements. It amends the Healthy Schools Act to mandate universal access, building on the District’s existing National School Lunch Program participation. The policy change directly affects all students in participating schools, removing barriers that previously left families earning above 185% of the federal poverty line without free meals. The legislation aims to reduce food insecurity and stigma while aligning with federal eligibility rules that now lower implementation costs.
