The bill requires the Department of Education to collaborate with the Department of Health to develop protocols for managing the stock supply of bronchodilators, which will include training for school staff on administration procedures and emergency response. By instituting these protocols, the bill seeks to standardize the approach for handling respiratory emergencies in schools, improving the readiness of staff to respond effectively to such incidents.
Summary
SB531 amends Chapter 302A of the Hawaii Revised Statutes to establish provisions for the maintenance and administration of bronchodilators in schools. The bill allows schools to maintain a stock supply of bronchodilators that can be administered by trained school health assistants or authorized employees in cases of actual or perceived asthma episodes. This initiative aims to ensure that immediate care is available to students experiencing asthma attacks while at school, promoting student health and safety.
Contention
While proponents of SB531 emphasize the importance of immediate access to bronchodilators for students with asthma, concerns may arise regarding the implications for liability and the responsibility of school staff when administering medication. Stakeholders, including parents and school administrators, might express varying opinions on perhaps the adequacy of training and preparedness of volunteers, particularly those without formal medical training. The requirement for parental notification about the bronchodilator policy seeks to address some of these concerns, ensuring transparency and communication.