General Assembly Raised Bill No. 5521
February Session, 2014 LCO No. 2181
*02181_______ED_*
Referred to Committee on EDUCATION
Introduced by:
(ED)
General Assembly
Raised Bill No. 5521
February Session, 2014
LCO No. 2181
*02181_______ED_*
Referred to Committee on EDUCATION
Introduced by:
(ED)
AN ACT CONCERNING THE STORAGE AND ADMINISTRATION OF EPINEPHRINE AT PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
Section 1. Section 10-212a of the 2014 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):
[(a) (1) A school nurse or, in the absence of such nurse, any other nurse licensed pursuant to the provisions of chapter 378, including a nurse employed by, or providing services under the direction of a local or regional board of education at, a school-based health clinic, who shall administer medical preparations only to students enrolled in such school-based health clinic in the absence of a school nurse, the principal, any teacher, licensed athletic trainer, licensed physical or occupational therapist employed by a school district, or coach of intramural and interscholastic athletics of a school may administer, subject to the provisions of subdivision (2) of this subsection, medicinal preparations, including such controlled drugs as the Commissioner of Consumer Protection may, by regulation, designate, to any student at such school pursuant to the written order of a physician licensed to practice medicine, or a dentist licensed to practice dental medicine in this or another state, or an optometrist licensed to practice optometry in this state under chapter 380, or an advanced practice registered nurse licensed to prescribe in accordance with section 20-94a, or a physician assistant licensed to prescribe in accordance with section 20-12d, and the written authorization of a parent or guardian of such child. The administration of medicinal preparations by a nurse licensed pursuant to the provisions of chapter 378, a principal, teacher, licensed athletic trainer, licensed physical or occupational therapist employed by a school district, or coach shall be under the general supervision of a school nurse. No such school nurse or other nurse, principal, teacher, licensed athletic trainer, licensed physical or occupational therapist employed by a school district, coach or school paraprofessional administering medication pursuant to subsections (d) and (e) of this section shall be liable to such student or a parent or guardian of such student for civil damages for any personal injuries that result from acts or omissions of such school nurse or other nurse, principal, teacher, licensed athletic trainer, licensed physical or occupational therapist employed by a school district, coach or school paraprofessional administering medication pursuant to subsections (d) and (e) of this section in administering such preparations that may constitute ordinary negligence. This immunity does not apply to acts or omissions constituting gross, wilful or wanton negligence.
(2) Each local and regional board of education that allows a school nurse or, in the absence of such nurse, any other nurse licensed pursuant to the provisions of chapter 378, including a nurse employed by, or providing services under the direction of a local or regional board of education at, a school-based health clinic, who shall administer medical preparations only to students enrolled in such school-based health clinic in the absence of a school nurse, the principal, any teacher, licensed athletic trainer, licensed physical or occupational therapist employed by a school district, or coach of intramural and interscholastic athletics of a school to administer medicine or that allows a student to self-administer medicine, including medicine administered through the use of an asthmatic inhaler or an automatic prefilled cartridge injector or similar automatic injectable equipment, shall adopt written policies and procedures, in accordance with this section and the regulations adopted pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, that shall be approved by the school medical advisor or other qualified licensed physician. Once so approved, such administration of medication shall be in accordance with such policies and procedures.
(3) A director of a school readiness program as defined in section 10-16p or a before or after school program exempt from licensure by the Department of Public Health pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of section 19a-77, or the director's designee, may administer medications to a child enrolled in such a program in accordance with regulations adopted by the State Board of Education in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54. No individual administering medications pursuant to this subdivision shall be liable to such child or a parent or guardian of such child for civil damages for any personal injuries that result from acts or omissions of such individual in administering such medications which may constitute ordinary negligence. This immunity shall not apply to acts or omissions constituting gross, wilful or wanton negligence.
(b) Each school wherein any controlled drug is administered under the provisions of this section shall keep such records thereof as are required of hospitals under the provisions of subsections (f) and (h) of section 21a-254 and shall store such drug in such manner as the Commissioner of Consumer Protection shall, by regulation, require.
(c) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the Commissioner of Public Health, shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, determined to be necessary by the board to carry out the provisions of this section, including, but not limited to, regulations that (1) specify conditions under which a coach of intramural and interscholastic athletics may administer medicinal preparations, including controlled drugs specified in the regulations adopted by the commissioner, to a child participating in such intramural and interscholastic athletics, (2) specify conditions and procedures for the administration of medication by school personnel to students, and (3) specify conditions for self-administration of medication by students, including permitting a child diagnosed with: (A) Asthma to retain possession of an asthmatic inhaler at all times while attending school for prompt treatment of the child's asthma and to protect the child against serious harm or death provided a written authorization for self-administration of medication signed by the child's parent or guardian and an authorized prescriber is submitted to the school nurse; and (B) an allergic condition to retain possession of an automatic prefilled cartridge injector or similar automatic injectable equipment at all times while attending school for prompt treatment of the child's allergic condition and to protect the child against serious harm or death provided a written authorization for self-administration of medication signed by the child's parent or guardian and an authorized prescriber is submitted to the school nurse. The regulations shall require authorization pursuant to: (i) The written order of a physician licensed to practice medicine in this or another state, a dentist licensed to practice dental medicine in this or another state, an advanced practice registered nurse licensed under chapter 378, a physician assistant licensed under chapter 370, a podiatrist licensed under chapter 375, or an optometrist licensed under chapter 380; and (ii) the written authorization of a parent or guardian of such child.
(d) (1) With the written authorization of a student's parent or guardian, and (2) pursuant to the written order of (A) a physician licensed under chapter 370, (B) an optometrist licensed to practice optometry under chapter 380, (C) an advanced practice registered nurse licensed to prescribe in accordance with section 20-94a, or (D) a physician assistant licensed to prescribe in accordance with section 20-12d, a school nurse and a school medical advisor may jointly approve and provide general supervision to an identified school paraprofessional to administer medication, including, but not limited to, medication administered with a cartridge injector, to a specific student with a medically diagnosed allergic condition that may require prompt treatment in order to protect the student against serious harm or death. For purposes of this subsection, "cartridge injector" means an automatic prefilled cartridge injector or similar automatic injectable equipment used to deliver epinephrine in a standard dose for emergency first aid response to allergic reactions.
(e) (1) With the written authorization of a student's parent or guardian, and (2) pursuant to a written order of the student's physician licensed under chapter 370, a school nurse or a school principal shall select, and a school nurse shall provide general supervision to, a qualified school employee to administer medication with injectable equipment used to administer glucagon to a student with diabetes that may require prompt treatment in order to protect the student against serious harm or death. Such authorization shall be limited to situations when the school nurse is absent or unavailable. No qualified school employee shall administer medication under this subsection unless (A) such qualified school employee annually completes any training required by the school nurse and school medical advisor in the administration of medication with injectable equipment used to administer glucagon, (B) the school nurse and school medical advisor have attested, in writing, that such qualified school employee has completed such training, and (C) such qualified school employee voluntarily agrees to serve as a qualified school employee. For purposes of this subsection, "injectable equipment used to administer glucagon" means an injector or injectable equipment used to deliver glucagon in an appropriate dose for emergency first aid response to diabetes. For purposes of this subsection, "qualified school employee" means a principal, teacher, licensed athletic trainer, licensed physical or occupational therapist employed by a school district, coach or school paraprofessional.]
(a) As used in this section and section 2 of this act:
(1) "Qualified school professional" means a nurse licensed pursuant to the provisions of chapter 378, principal, teacher, licensed athletic trainer, licensed physical or occupational therapist employed by a school district, coach of intramural or interscholastic athletics of a school or school paraprofessional;
(2) "Qualified medical professional" means a physician licensed under chapter 370, dentist licensed under chapter 379, optometrist licensed under chapter 380, advanced practice registered nurse licensed under chapter 378, a physician assistant licensed under chapter 370 or a podiatrist licensed under chapter 375;
(3) "Medication" means any medicinal preparation, including any controlled substances specifically designated in the regulations or policies, adopted pursuant to section 20-14j, medication administered with a cartridge injector and medication administered through the use of an asthmatic inhaler;
(4) "Cartridge injector" means an automatic prefilled cartridge injector or similar automatic injectable equipment used to deliver epinephrine in a standard dose for emergency first aid response to allergic reactions; and
(5) "Injectable equipment used to administer glucagon" means an injector or injectable equipment used to deliver glucagon in an appropriate dose for emergency first aid response to diabetes.
(b) (1) Except as provided in subdivisions (3) and (4) of this subsection, a school nurse or, in the absence of such nurse, a qualified school professional may administer medication to any student pursuant to (A) the written authorization of a parent or guardian of such student, and (B) a written order of a qualified medical professional, provided such administration of medication is in accordance with the provisions of any policies and procedures adopted pursuant to subsection (c) of this section. The administration of medication by a qualified school professional pursuant to this section shall be under the general supervision of a school nurse.
(2) A student may self-administer medication pursuant to (A) the written authorization of a parent or guardian of such student, and (B) a written order of a qualified medical professional, provided such administration of medication is in accordance with the provisions of policies and procedures adopted pursuant to subsection (c) of this section.
(3) With the written authorization of a student's parent or guardian, and pursuant to a written order of the student's physician licensed under chapter 370, a school nurse or a school principal shall select, and a school nurse shall provide general supervision to, a qualified school employee to administer medication with injectable equipment used to administer glucagon to a student with diabetes who may require prompt treatment in order to protect the student against serious harm or death. Such authorization shall be limited to situations when the school nurse is absent or unavailable. No qualified school employee shall administer medication under this subdivision unless (A) such qualified school employee annually completes training required by the school nurse and school medical advisor in the administration of medication with injectable equipment used to administer glucagon, (B) the school nurse and school medical advisor have attested, in writing, that such qualified school employee has completed such training, and (C) such qualified school employee voluntarily agrees to serve as a qualified school employee.
(4) A school nurse or, in the absence of a school nurse, a qualified school professional shall maintain epinephrine in cartridge injectors at the school that such school nurse or qualified school professional is employed for the purpose of emergency first aid to students who experience allergic reactions and do not have a prior written authorization of a parent or guardian or a prior written order of a qualified medical professional for the administration of epinephrine. A school nurse or, in the absence of such school nurse, a qualified school professional may administer such epinephrine to such students, provided such administration of epinephrine is in accordance with policies and procedures adopted pursuant to subsection (c) of this section.
(c) Any local and regional board of education that allows a school nurse or, in the absence of such nurse, a qualified school professional to administer medication or allows a student to self-administer medication, pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, shall adopt written policies and procedures regarding the administration of medication. Such policies and procedures shall (1) be in accordance with the provisions of this section and any regulations adopted pursuant to subsection (e) of this section, and (2) be approved by the school medical advisor or, in the absence of such school medical advisor, a qualified licensed physician.
(d) Each school in which medication is administered pursuant to this section shall keep a record, in accordance with the provisions of subsections (f) and (h) of section 21a-254, and shall store such medication in such manner as the Commissioner of Consumer Protection or State Board of Education shall, by regulation, require.
(e) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the Commissioner of Public Health, shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, determined to be necessary by the board to carry out the provisions of this section, including, but not limited to, regulations that (1) specify conditions under which a coach of intramural or interscholastic athletics may administer medication to a child participating in such intramural or interscholastic athletics, (2) specify conditions and procedures for the administration of medication by qualified school professionals to students, (3) require the written authorization of a parent or guardian of a student and the written order of a qualified medical professional for the administration of medication by a school nurse or qualified school professional or the self-administration of medication by a student, (4) specify the conditions and manner that medication shall be stored at schools, (5) authorize the storage and administration of epinephrine for the purpose of emergency first aid to students who experience allergic reactions and who do not have a prior written authorization of a parent or guardian or a prior written order of a qualified medical professional for the administration of epinephrine, and (6) specify conditions for self-administration of medication by students, including permitting a student diagnosed with: (A) Asthma to retain possession of an asthmatic inhaler at all times while attending school for prompt treatment of the student's asthma and to protect the student against serious harm or death provided a written authorization for self-administration of medication signed by the student's parent or guardian and an authorized prescriber is submitted to the school nurse, and (B) an allergic condition to retain possession of an automatic prefilled cartridge injector or similar automatic injectable equipment at all times while attending school for prompt treatment of the student's allergic condition and to protect the child against serious harm or death provided a written authorization for self-administration of medication signed by the student's parent or guardian and an authorized prescriber is submitted to the school nurse.
Sec. 2. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2014) (a) A director of a school readiness program, as defined in section 10-16p of the general statutes, or a before or after school program exempt from licensure by the Department of Public Health, pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of section 19a-77 of the general statutes, or the director's designee, may administer medication to a child enrolled in such a program in accordance with regulations adopted pursuant to subsection (c) of this section. No such director, or the director's designee, administering medication pursuant to this subsection shall be liable to such child or a parent or guardian of such child for civil damages for any personal injuries that result from acts or omissions of such director, or the director's designee, in administering such medication that may constitute ordinary negligence. This immunity shall not apply to acts or omissions constituting gross, wilful or wanton negligence.
(b) A nurse, in the absence of a school nurse, who is employed by or providing services under the direction of a local or regional board of education at a school-based health clinic may administer medication to only those students enrolled in such school-based health clinic in accordance with regulations adopted pursuant to subsection (c) of this section. No such nurse administering medication pursuant to this subsection shall be liable to such student or a parent or guardian of such student for civil damages for any personal injuries that result from acts or omissions of such nurse in administering such medication that may constitute ordinary negligence. This immunity shall not apply to acts or omissions constituting gross, wilful or wanton negligence.
(c) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the Commissioner of Public Health, shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 of the general statutes, determined to be necessary by the board to carry out the provisions of this section.
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
Section 1 July 1, 2014 10-212a
Sec. 2 July 1, 2014 New section
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
Section 1
July 1, 2014
10-212a
Sec. 2
July 1, 2014
New section
Statement of Purpose:
To authorize the storage of epinephrine at schools and the administration of epinephrine to students who do not have a prior written authorization for epinephrine and to clarify the statute regarding the administration of medication in schools.
[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not underlined.]