Bill > H1902

This bill, concerning emergency epinephrine pens in schools, aims to protect school personnel from liability for ordinary negligence when administering epinephrine to a student experiencing a severe allergic reaction, known as anaphylaxis, provided they are authorized and trained. It mandates that by the 2015-2016 school year, school districts and accredited nonpublic schools should have policies in place for possessing and administering these pens, which are auto-injectors that deliver a dose of epinephrine. These epinephrine kits, which can contain multiple doses, may be kept in a locked, secure, and accessible location at the school, and can be prescribed to the school itself by a physician. School nurses or trained school employees can administer epinephrine in emergencies under a prescriber's order or standing protocol, but only when they reasonably believe a student is having an anaphylactic reaction at school, on school property, or at a school-sponsored event. Furthermore, schools must consult with a licensed pharmacist who will have supervisory responsibility for the epinephrine kit, including developing procedures for its control, accountability, and periodic inventory.