W. Va. Code R. § 126-51-5

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section 126-51-5 - Health Promotion through School Screenings/Examinations

5.1. West Virginia schools promote healthy behavior and learning. The school nurse, as the school health expert, is qualified to lead the coordination of health promotion for students and school personnel through screenings, supporting school health requirements, and offering other health recommendations. Health services for public schools may be provided through various partnerships including, but not limited to, partnerships established with local agencies, state agencies, community organizations, and/or health care providers.

5.2. HealthCheck. New students enrolling in a West Virginia public school at first entry of either pre-kindergarten (Pre-K) or kindergarten shall have on file within 45 days of enrollment or prior to the first day of school attendance, a record of a HealthCheck screening or other comprehensive health screening comparable to the HealthCheck protocol. All screening forms shall be signed and dated by the student's licensed health care provider and completed within the past 12 calendar months. County boards of education may retain the right to conduct follow-up screenings pursuant to W. Va. 126CSR28, Policy 2525, West Virginia's Universal Access to a Quality Early Education System (Policy 2525) and W. Va. Code §18-5-17. Students determined to have impairments or disabilities shall be referred to the appropriate school personnel for additional screening.

5.3. Oral Health. New students enrolling in West Virginia public school at first entry of either Pre-K or kindergarten shall have on file within 45 days of enrollment or prior to the first day of school attendance, a record of an oral health examination. The oral health examination shall be signed and dated by the student's dental provider and completed within the past 12 calendar months. Provided, if the student does not have proof of an oral health examination, the student may be enrolled in the Oral Health Program (OHP). The OHP provides an oral health assessment from a dental provider regardless of the ability to pay if the parent/guardian provides consent. The student's enrollment in OHP is sufficient to meet the oral health requirement established in this section.

5.4. Tuberculin Skin Test. West Virginia continues to be a state with low incidence rates of tuberculosis; therefore, tuberculin skin testing for out-of-state student transfers and new school employees and/or volunteers is no longer statutorily required. Provided, suspected tuberculosis cases shall be addressed as follows:

5.4.a. students determined or suspected of having active tuberculosis shall be temporarily removed from school while their cases are reviewed and evaluated by a licensed health care provider and the local health officer. Students shall return to school when a licensed health care provider and the local health officer, in consultation with the Commissioner or designee, indicate that it is safe and appropriate for them to return pursuant to W. Va. Code §16-3D-3;

5.4.b. school employees determined or suspected to have active tuberculosis shall have their employment suspended until the local health officer, in consultation with the Commissioner, approves the employee to return to work;

5.4.c. the Commissioner may require selective testing of students and school employees for tuberculosis when there is reason to believe that they may have been exposed to the tuberculosis organism or they are exhibiting signs and/or experiencing symptoms indicative of the disease; and,

5.4.d. the school nurse shall identify and refer any student or school employee to the local health department when they have reason to suspect that the student or employee has been exposed to tuberculosis or they are exhibiting signs and/or experiencing symptoms indicative of the disease.

W. Va. Code R. § 126-51-5