More Nurses in Rural Schools Act
Opens a federal loan-repayment path for school nurses serving in health professional shortage areas.
In the House Energy and Commerce Committee since Oct. 1, 2026, 7 days after it was introduced. Most bills never leave committee.
- INTRODUCEDINTROOCT 1, 2026
- COMMITTEECOMM.IN COMMITTEE
- HOUSEHOUSE—
- SENATESENATE—
- LAWLAW—
What the bill would do, and why it matters
School nurses provide health services to students. The bill would let some nurses working in health professional shortage areas qualify for National Health Service Corps loan repayment through school-based service. It would reserve part of the program’s available funds for them and count part-time service by hours worked.
- INTRODUCED ONLY This bill has been introduced and possibly referred to a committee, but it has not passed any vote. Most introduced bills never become law — they die in committee without a hearing.
- DATA NOTE No Congressional Research Service summary was available.
- Let school nurses qualify for loan repayment
The Secretary of Health and Human Services may allow registered nurses working in an elementary or secondary school in a health professional shortage area to meet the program’s service requirement by serving as a school nurse for two years, or longer if they agree. The bill would also exempt these nurses from certain existing assignment priorities and limits.
- Reserve funds for school nurses
At least 5 percent of the amount made available for the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program in each fiscal year would be used for school nurses participating under this provision.
- Count part-time service by hours
Nurses serving less than full time or less than a full year would have to serve long enough to work the same total hours as a full-time, full-year nurse. The Secretary would set annual requirements to certify their hours.
The bill would make school-based service a route to loan repayment for nurses working in designated areas with shortages of health professionals. That could give eligible nurses another way to serve students while meeting the program’s service requirement.
The reserved share would use funds made available for the loan repayment program, so the amount available for other participants could be affected.
Written from the bill text.
The path it took, step by step
- IntroducedOCT 1, 2026HOUSEOCT 1, 2026By Rep. Perez with 1 original cosponsorReferred to Energy and Commerce
- SAME DAYNOWHouse committeeOCT 1, 2026ENERGY & COMMERCE NOWOCT 1, 2026In committee for 7 daysNo hearing yet
- 7 DAYS SO FARPassed the House—HOUSE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Senate committee—SENATE—
- Passed the Senate—SENATE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Resolve differencesONLY IF NEEDEDBOTH CHAMBERSONLY IF NEEDEDSkipped if the other chamber passes the same text
- Signed into law—PRESIDENT—10 days to sign or veto
- OCT 12026OCT 1, 2026REFERREDHOUSEReferred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- OCT 12026OCT 1, 2026INTRODUCEDHOUSEIntroduced in House
At day 7, this bill is already older than 3% of the laws passed this Congress were when they were signed.
Where your members stand on it
Support from one state
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Rep. Perez’s record: sponsored 28 bills this Congress. 1 passed the House; 0 became law.
- Jennifer A. KiggansR-VA-2ORIGINAL
What readers think
Discussion
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