Bill > SB0817

This bill provides a comprehensive framework for managing bronchodilator rescue inhalers in Tennessee, focusing on two primary areas: authorized entities and schools. For authorized entities like child care agencies, restaurants, youth sports leagues, and theme parks, the bill allows healthcare practitioners to prescribe and pharmacists to dispense rescue inhalers under a standing protocol, which is a written policy detailing how the inhaler should be used. These entities must designate an employee to maintain the inhaler in a secure, unlocked location and may administer it to someone experiencing asthma symptoms or respiratory distress when a physician is not immediately available. The bill provides liability protection for the designated employee, authorized entity, healthcare practitioner, and pharmacist, as long as they act in good faith and without intentional disregard for safety. For schools, the bill encourages local education agencies (LEAs) and public charter schools to keep at least two bronchodilator rescue inhalers in locations like the school office or nurse's office, to be administered by a school nurse or trained personnel under a standing protocol from a healthcare practitioner. The bill also shields school nurses and schools from civil damages for ordinary negligence when administering the inhaler to a student believed to be experiencing life-threatening asthma symptoms. The legislation will take effect for rule-making immediately and for all other purposes on July 1, 2026.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=SB0817&ga=114