Family Resource and Youth Services Centers in the state could employ a physician or nurse with help from a state grant program created under a bill passed today by the House.

Rep. Mary Lou Marzian, D-Louisville, the sponsor of House Bill 640, which passed the House 89-7, said the bill would create a supplemental grant program that would allow school districts to hire health care personnel, including physicians, registered nurses or nurse practitioners. Doing so, she said, could improve school attendance.

"About 88.5 percent of students who see at nurse at school are able to return to their classes and not go home," Marzian said.

The program, which would be managed by the state, could be funded by state or federal appropriations or private contributions and would not reduce the amount of other grants that the centers receive.

HB 640 now goes to the Senate for its consideration.