Requiring school districts of the first class to employ a school nurse.

SB 5271 requires Washington state school districts classified as "first class" to hire a school nurse. This applies specifically to larger school districts (as defined by state law) and mandates they employ either a registered nurse or an advanced registered nurse practitioner. The nurse must hold a valid educational staff associate certificate for school nurses. The law aims to protect student health by ensuring these districts have qualified nursing staff on-site. This replaces the previous option for such districts to "may employ" a nurse with a mandatory requirement.