Maryland 2024 Regular Session

Maryland Senate Bill SB180 Latest Draft

Bill / Chaptered Version Filed 05/02/2024

                             	WES MOORE, Governor 	Ch. 279 
 
– 1 – 
Chapter 279 
(Senate Bill 180) 
 
AN ACT concerning 
 
Public and Nonpublic Schools – Auto–Injectable Epinephrine and 
Bronchodilators – Use, Availability, Training, and Policies 
 
FOR the purpose of requiring each county board of education and authorizing nonpublic 
schools in the State to update their policies to require certain school nurses and other 
school personnel to complete certain training before they are authorized to 
administer auto–injectable epinephrine to a student who is determined to be, or is 
perceived to be, in anaphylaxis; requiring the State Department of Education, in 
consultation with certain groups, to identify or develop training for certain school 
personnel to identify symptoms of anaphylaxis, asthma, and respiratory distress in 
students; requiring each county board the Maryland Department of Health, in 
consultation with county boards, and authorizing nonpublic schools in the State to 
establish a policy to obtain, administer, and train certain school nurses and other 
school personnel to administer in emergency situations bronchodilators to a student 
who is determined to have asthma, is be or, or is perceived to be, experiencing  
asthma–related symptoms, symptoms or is perceived to be in respiratory distress by 
a school nurse or any other certain designated school personnel; and generally 
relating to use and availability of auto–injectable epinephrine and bronchodilators 
in public and nonpublic schools in the State. 
 
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 
 Article – Education 
Section 7–426.2 and 7–426.3 
 Annotated Code of Maryland 
 (2022 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 
 
BY adding to 
 Article – Education 
Section 7–426.6 and 7–426.7 
 Annotated Code of Maryland 
 (2022 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 
 
 SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL AS SEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 
 
Article – Education 
 
7–426.2. 
 
 (a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 
  Ch. 279 	2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND  
 
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 (2) “Anaphylaxis” means a sudden, severe, and potentially life–threatening 
allergic reaction that occurs when an individual is exposed to an allergen. 
 
 (3) “Auto–injectable epinephrine” means a portable, disposable drug 
delivery device that contains a premeasured single dose of epinephrine that is used to treat 
anaphylaxis in an emergency situation. 
 
 (b) Each county board shall establish a policy for public schools within its 
jurisdiction to authorize the school nurse and other school personnel to administer  
auto–injectable epinephrine, if available, to a student who is determined BY AN 
INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS U NDERGONE THE TRAININ G PROVIDED UNDER SUB SECTION 
(C) OF THIS SECTION, IF AVAILABLE, to be or perceived to be in anaphylaxis, regardless 
of whether the student: 
 
 (1) Has been identified as having an anaphylactic allergy, as defined in § 
7–426.1 of this subtitle; or 
 
 (2) Has [a prescription for] BEEN PRESCRIBED epinephrine [as 
prescribed] by an authorized licensed health care practitioner under the Health 
Occupations Article. 
 
 (c) (1) THE DEPARTMENT , IN CONSULTATION WITH THE MARYLAND 
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION, AND THE ASTHMA 
AND ALLERGY FOUNDATION OF AMERICA, SHALL IDENTIFY OR DE VELOP TRAINING 
TO: 
 
 (I) IDENTIFY THE SYMPTOMS OF ASTHMA AND RESPIR ATORY 
DISTRESS; 
 
 (II) IDENTIFY THE SYMPTOMS OF ANAPHYLAXIS ; AND 
 
 (III) DISTINGUISH BETWEEN A NAPHYLAXIS AND ASTHM A OR 
RESPIRATORY DISTRESS . 
 
 (2) THE TRAINING IDENTIFI ED OR DEVELOPED UNDE R PARAGRAPH 
(1) OF THIS SUBSECTION S HALL BE PROVIDED TO SCHOOL NURSES AND VO LUNTARY 
SCHOOL PERSONNEL WHO ARE DESIGNATED BY A SCHOOL NURSE AND , IN THE 
CLINICAL JUDGMENT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE , ARE APPROPRIATE RECI PIENTS OF 
THE TRAINING. 
 
 (3) THE TRAINING PROVIDED UNDER THIS SUBSECTIO N SHALL BE A 
PAID PROFESSIONAL DE VELOPMENT TRAINING . 
 
 (D) The policy established under subsection (b) of this section shall include:   	WES MOORE, Governor 	Ch. 279 
 
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 (1) [Training for school personnel on how to recognize the symptoms of 
anaphylaxis] THE TRAINING IDENTIFI ED OR DEVELOPED UNDE R SUBSECTION (C) OF 
THIS SECTION; 
 
 (2) Procedures for the emergency administration of auto –injectable 
epinephrine BY A SCHOOL NURSE OR DESIGNATED VOLUNTEER SCHOOL PERSONNEL ; 
 
 (3) The proper follow–up emergency procedures; 
 
 (4) A provision authorizing a school nurse to obtain and store at a public 
school auto–injectable epinephrine to be used in an emergency situation; and 
 
 (5) A requirement that each public school develop and implement a method 
for notifying the parents or guardians of students of the school’s policy under this section 
at the beginning of each school year. 
 
 (E) (1) AN AUTHORIZED LICENSE D HEALTH CARE PRACTI TIONER MAY 
PROVIDE AUTO –INJECTABLE EPINEPHRI NE TO A SCHOOL NURSE OR DESIGNATED 
VOLUNTEER SCHOOL PERSONNEL FOR USE IN ACCORDANC E WITH THIS SECTION . 
 
 (2) AUTO–INJECTABLE EPINEPHRINE USED UND ER THIS SECTION 
MUST BE FROM A LICEN SED PHARMACY OR MANU FACTURER. 
 
 (3) A COUNTY BOARD OR PUBL IC SCHOOL MAY ACCEPT DONATED 
AUTO–INJECTABLE EPINEPHRI NE FROM A LICENSED P	HARMACY OR 
MANUFACTURER . 
 
 (4) A COUNTY BOARD MAY APP LY FOR GRANTS TO OBTAIN FUNDING 
FOR THE PURCHASE OF AUTO–INJECTABLE EPINEPHRI NE FROM A LICENSED 
PHARMACY OR MANUFACT URER. 
 
 [(d)] (F) Except for any willful or grossly negligent act, a school nurse or other 
school personnel who respond in good faith to the anaphylactic reaction of a child in 
accordance with this section may not be held personally liable for any act or omission in the 
course of responding to the reaction. 
 
 [(e)] (G) (1) Each public school shall submit, on the form that the Department 
requires, a report to the Department on each incident at the school or at a related school 
event that required the use of auto–injectable epinephrine. 
 
 (2) The Department shall develop and disseminate a standard form to 
report each incident requiring the use of auto–injectable epinephrine at a public school. 
 
7–426.3.  Ch. 279 	2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND  
 
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 (a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 
 
 (2) “Anaphylaxis” means a sudden, severe, and potentially life–threatening 
allergic reaction that occurs when an individual is exposed to an allergen. 
 
 (3) “Auto–injectable epinephrine” means a portable, disposable drug 
delivery device that contains a premeasured single dose of epinephrine that is used to treat 
anaphylaxis in an emergency situation. 
 
 (4) “School personnel” means individuals who are employed by a nonpublic 
school, including part–time employees, teachers and substitute teachers employed by the 
school for at least 7 days each school year, a school nurse, registered nurse case manager, 
delegating nurse, and administrative staff. 
 
 (b) Each nonpublic school in the State may establish a policy authorizing school 
personnel to administer auto–injectable epinephrine, if available, to a student who is 
determined BY AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS UNDERGONE THE TR AINING PROVIDED 
UNDER § 7–426.2(C) OF THIS SUBTITLE , IF AVAILABLE, to be or perceived to be in 
anaphylaxis, regardless of whether the student: 
 
 (1) Has been identified as having an anaphylactic allergy, as defined in § 
7–426.1 of this subtitle; or 
 
 (2) Has [a prescription for] BEEN PRESCRIBED epinephrine [as 
prescribed] by an authorized licensed health care practitioner under the Health 
Occupations Article. 
 
 (c) The policy established under subsection (b) of this section shall include: 
 
 (1) [Training for school personnel on how to recognize the signs and 
symptoms of anaphylaxis by a licensed health care practitioner who is authorized to 
administer auto–injectable epinephrine and who has been trained in an established 
protocol on how to recognize the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis] THE TRAINING 
IDENTIFIED OR DEVELO PED UNDER § 7–426.2(C) OF THIS SUBTITLE FOR SCHOOL 
NURSES AND VOLUNTARY SCHOOL PERSONNEL WHO ARE DESIGNATED BY A SCHOOL 
NURSE AND , IN THE CLINICAL JUDG MENT OF THE SCHOOL N URSE, ARE 
APPROPRIATE RECI PIENTS OF THE TRAINI NG; 
 
 (2) Procedures for the emergency administration of auto –injectable 
epinephrine BY A SCHOOL NURSE OR DESIGNATED VOLUNTEER SCHOOL PERSONNEL ; 
 
 (3) The proper follow–up emergency procedures; 
   	WES MOORE, Governor 	Ch. 279 
 
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 (4) A provision authorizing a school nurse or other licensed health care 
practitioner to obtain and, school personnel to store, at a nonpublic school auto–injectable 
epinephrine to be used in an emergency situation; 
 
 (5) A requirement that the nonpublic school develop and implement a 
method for notifying the parents or guardians of students of the school’s policy under this 
section at the beginning of each school year; and 
 
 (6) An ongoing process for oversight and monitoring by a licensed health 
care practitioner of the implementation of the policy established under subsection (b) of this 
section. 
 
 (D) (1) AN AUTHORIZED LICENSE D HEALTH CARE PRACTI TIONER MAY 
PROVIDE AUTO –INJECTABLE EPINEPHRI NE TO A SCHOOL NURSE OR DESIGNATED 
VOLUNTEER SCHOOL PERSONNEL FOR USE IN ACCORDANC E WITH THIS SECTION. 
 
 (2) AUTO–INJECTABLE EPINEPHRI NE USED UNDER THIS S ECTION 
MUST BE FROM A LICEN SED PHARMACY OR MANU FACTURER. 
 
 (3) A NONPUBLIC SCHOOL MAY ACCEPT DONATED AUTO –INJECTABLE 
EPINEPHRINE FROM A L ICENSED PHARMACY OR MANUFACTURER . 
 
 (4) A NONPUBLIC SCHO OL MAY APPLY FOR GRA NTS TO OBTAIN 
FUNDING FOR THE PURC HASE OF AUTO –INJECTABLE EPINEPHRI NE FROM A 
LICENSED PHARMACY OR MANUFACTURER . 
 
 [(d)] (E) Except for any willful or grossly negligent act, school personnel who 
respond in good faith to the anaphylactic reaction of a child in accordance with this section 
may not be held personally liable for any act or omission in the course of responding to the 
reaction. 
 
7–426.6. 
 
 (A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE F OLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 
INDICATED. 
 
 (2) “ASTHMA” MEANS A CHRONIC LUNG DISEASE THAT INFLAME S 
AND NARROWS AIR PASS AGES, CAUSING RECURRING PE RIODS OF WHEEZING , CHEST 
TIGHTNESS, SHORTNESS OF BREATH , AND COUGHING . 
 
 (3) “BRONCHODILATOR ” MEANS MEDICATION THA T RELAXES 
BRONCHIAL MUSCLES , RESULTING IN THE EXP ANSION OF BRONCHIAL AIR 
PASSAGES TO PROVIDE FAST TREATMENT OF AS THMA–RELATED SYMPTOMS AND 
SYMPTOMS OF RESPIRAT ORY DISTRESS. 
  Ch. 279 	2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND  
 
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 (4) (I) “SCHOOL PERSONNEL ” MEANS INDIVIDUALS WH O ARE 
EMPLOYED BY A PUBLIC SCHOOL, INCLUDING PART –TIME EMPLOYEES , TEACHERS 
AND SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS EMPLOYED BY THE SCHO OL FOR AT LEAST 7 DAYS EACH 
SCHOOL YEAR , REGISTERED NURSE CAS E MANAGERS , DELEGATING NURSES , AND 
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF OR, IN THE CASE OF SOME SCHOOL HEALTH STAFF , BY A 
LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTM ENT. 
 
 (II) “SCHOOL PERSONN EL” INCLUDES PART –TIME EMPLOYEES , 
TEACHERS, SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS EMPLOYED BY THE SCHO OL FOR AT LEAST 7 
DAYS EACH SCHOOL YEA R, REGISTERED NURSE CAS E MANAGERS , DELEGATING 
NURSES, AND ADMINISTRATIVE S TAFF. 
 
 (B) (1) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION, 
EACH COUNTY BOARD THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, IN 
CONSULTATION WITH CO UNTY BOARDS , SHALL ESTABLISH A PO LICY FOR PUBLIC 
SCHOOLS WITHIN ITS JURISDICTION TO AUTHORIZE THE SCH OOL NURSE AND OTHER 
DESIGNATED SCHOOL PERSONNEL TO ADMINISTER A BRO NCHODILATOR TO A 
STUDENT WHO IS DETER MINED BY AN INDIVIDU AL WHO HAS UNDERGONE THE 
TRAINING PROVIDED UN DER SUBSECTION (C) OF THIS SECTION TO HAVE ASTHMA , 
IS BE OR, OR IS PERCEIVED TO BE , EXPERIENCING ASTHMA –RELATED SYMPTOMS, 
OR IS PERCEIVED TO B E IN RESPIRATORY DISTRESS , REGARDLESS OF WHETHE R THE 
STUDENT: 
 
 (I) HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WI TH ASTHMA OR REACTIV E AIRWAY 
DISEASE; OR 
 
 (II) HAS BEEN PRESCRIBED A BRONCHODILATOR BY AN 
AUTHORIZED LICENSED HEALTH CARE PRACTITI ONER UNDER THE HEALTH 
OCCUPATIONS ARTICLE. 
 
 (2) NEITHER A SCHOOL NURS E NOR ANY OTHER DESIGNATED 
SCHOOL PERSONNEL MAY ADMINISTER A BRONCHO	DILATOR TO A 
PREKINDERGARTEN STUD ENT UNLESS THE STUDE NT HAS BEEN DIAGNOSE D WITH 
ASTHMA OR A REACTIVE AIRWAY DISEASE AND H AS A PRESCRIPTION FO R A 
BRONCHODI LATOR AS PRESCRIBED BY THE STUDENT ’S HEALTH CARE 
PRACTITIONER . 
 
 (C) (1) THE TRAINING IDENTIFI ED OR DEVELOPED UNDE R § 7–426.2(C) 
OF THIS SUBTITLE SHA LL BE PROVIDED TO SC HOOL NURSES AND VOLU NTARY 
SCHOOL PERSONNEL WHO ARE DESIGNATED BY A SCHOOL NURSE AND , IN THE 
CLINICAL JUDGMENT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE , ARE APPROPRIATE RECI PIENTS OF 
THE TRAINING. 
   	WES MOORE, Governor 	Ch. 279 
 
– 7 – 
 (2) THE TRAINING PROVIDED UNDER THIS SUBSECTIO N SHALL BE A 
PAID PROFESSIONAL DE VELOPMENT TRAINING . 
 
 (C) (1) THE DEPARTMENT , IN CONSULTATION WITH THE MARYLAND 
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION, AND THE ASTHMA 
AND ALLERGY FOUNDATION OF AMERICA, SHALL IDENTIFY OR DE VELOP TRAINING 
TO: 
 
 (I) IDENTIFY THE SYMPTOMS OF ASTHMA AND RESPIR ATORY 
DISTRESS; 
 
 (II) IDENTIFY THE SYMPTOMS OF ANAPHYLAXIS ; AND 
 
 (III) DISTINGUISH BETWEEN A NAPHYLAXIS AND ASTHM A OR 
RESPIRATORY DISTRESS . 
 
 (2) THE TRAINING IDENTIFI ED OR DEVELOPED UNDE R PARAGRAPH 
(1) OF THIS SUBSECTION S HALL BE PROVIDED TO SCHOOL NURSES AND VO LUNTARY 
SCHOOL PERSONNEL WHO ARE DESIGNATED BY A SCHOOL NURSE AND , IN THE 
CLINICAL JUDGMENT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE , ARE APPROPRIATE RECI PIENTS OF 
THE TRAINING. 
 
 (3) THE TRAINING PROVIDED UNDER THIS SUBSECTIO N SHALL BE A 
PAID PROFESSIONAL DE VELOPMENT TRAINING .  
 
 (D) THE POLICY ESTABLISHE D UNDER SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION 
SHALL INCLUDE : 
 
 (1) THE TRAINING REQUIRED UNDER SUBSECTION (C) OF THIS 
SECTION; 
 
 (2) PROCEDURES FOR THE EM ERGENCY ADMINISTRATI ON OF A 
BRONCHODILATOR BY A SCHOOL NURSE OR DESI GNATED VOLUNTEER SCHOOL 
PERSONNEL ; 
 
 (3) PROCEDURES FOR R ECOGNIZING AND THE NEED TO ADMINIST ER 
A BRONCHODILATOR AND FOR ADMINISTERING A BRON CHODILATOR BASED ON THE 
SEVERITY OF THE SYMP TOMS BEING EXPERIENC ED BY THE STUDENT ;  
 
 (3) (4) THE PROPER FOLLOW –UP EMERGENCY PROCEDU RES; 
 
 (4) (5) A PROVISION AUTHORIZING A SCHOOL NURSE TO OB TAIN 
AND STORE AT A PUBLI C SCHOOL REQUIRING THAT BRONCHODILATORS AND MODES  Ch. 279 	2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND  
 
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OF DELIVERY , INCLUDING INHALERS W ITH SPACERS , BE STORED IN PUBLIC 
SCHOOLS TO BE USED IN AN EME RGENCY SITUATION ; AND 
 
 (5) (6) A PROVISION AUTHORIZIN G A COUNTY BOARD TO OBTAIN A 
STANDING ORDER FOR T HE ADMINISTRATION OF BRONCHODILATORS ; AND  
 
 (7) A REQUIREMENT THAT EAC H PUBLIC SCHOOL DEVE LOP AND 
IMPLEMENT A METHOD F OR NOTIFYING THE PAR ENTS OR GUARDIANS OF STUDENTS 
OF THE SCHOOL ’S POLICY UNDER THIS SECTION AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH 
SCHOOL YEAR . 
 
 (E) (1) AN AUTHORIZED LICENSE D HEALTH CARE PRACTI TIONER MAY 
PROVIDE BRONCHODILAT ORS TO A SCHOOL NURS E OR DESIGNATED VOLUNTEER 
SCHOOL PERSONNEL FOR USE IN ACCORDANC E WITH THIS SECTION . 
 
 (2) BRONCHODILATORS AND M	ODES OF ADMINISTRATI ON, 
INCLUDING INHALERS W ITH SPACERS, USED BY A SCHOOL NUR SE OR ANY OTHER 
DESIGNATED SCHOOL PERSONNEL MUS T BE FROM A LICENSED PHARMACY OR 
MANUFACTURER . 
 
 (3) A COUNTY BOARD OR PUBL IC SCHOOL MAY ACCEPT DONATED 
BRONCHODILATORS AND MODES OF ADMINISTRATION , INCLUDING INHALERS W ITH 
SPACERS, FROM A LICENSED PHAR MACY OR MANUFACTURER . 
 
 (4) A COUNTY BOARD MAY APP LY FOR GRANTS TO OBT AIN FUNDING 
FOR THE PURCHASE OF BRONCHODILATORS AND MODES OF ADMINISTRAT ION, 
INCLUDING INHALE RS WITH SPACERS . 
 
 (F) (1) EXCEPT FOR ANY WILLFU L OR GROSSLY NEGLIGE NT ACT, A 
SCHOOL NURSE OR ANY OTHER SCHOOL PERSONN EL WHO RESPOND IN GO OD FAITH 
TO THE ASTHMA ATTACK OR RESPIRATORY DISTR ESS OF A CHILD IN AC CORDANCE 
WITH THIS SECTION MA Y NOT BE HELD PERSONALLY LIABLE FO R ANY ACT OR 
OMISSION IN THE COUR SE OF RESPONDING TO THE CHILD IN DISTRES S. 
 
 (2) EXCEPT FOR ANY WILLFU L OR GROSSLY NEGLIGE NT ACT, A 
HEALTH CARE PROVIDER WHO PRESCRIBES OR DI SPENSES A BRONCHODIL ATOR 
USED TO TREAT A CHIL D IN ACCORDANCE WITH PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS 
SUBSECTION MAY NOT B E HELD PERSONALLY LI ABLE FOR ANY ACT OR OMISSION 
THAT OCCURS IN THE C OURSE OF RESPONDING TO THE CHILD IN DIST RESS.  
 
 (G) (1) (I) FOR EACH INCIDENT AT THE SCHOOL OR AT A R ELATED 
SCHOOL EVENT THAT RE QUIRES THE USE OF A BRONCHODILATOR STOCK   	WES MOORE, Governor 	Ch. 279 
 
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BRONCHODILATOR IN AC CORDANCE WITH THIS S ECTION, EACH PUBLIC SCHOOL 
SHALL: 
 
 1. NOTIFY THE STUDENT ’S PARENT OR LEGAL 
GUARDIAN OF THE INCI DENT; AND 
 
 2. MAKE A RECORD OF THE INCIDENT, ON THE FORM 
THAT THE DEPARTMENT REQUIRES, AND FILE THE FORM IN THE STUDENT’S SCHOOL 
MEDICAL RECORD . 
 
 (II) EACH PUBLIC SCHOOL SH	ALL SUBMIT TO THE 
DEPARTMENT A REPORT , ON THE FORM AND SCHE DULE REQUIRED BY THE 
DEPARTMENT , ON THE NUMBER OF INC IDENTS AT THE SCHOOL OR AT A RELATED 
SCHOOL EV ENT THAT REQUIRED TH E USE OF A BRONCHODILATOR STOCK 
BRONCHODILATOR IN AC CORDANCE WITH THIS S ECTION. 
 
 (2) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DEVE LOP AND DISSEMINATE 
STANDARD FORMS TO RE CORD EACH INCIDENT A ND REPORT INCIDENTS REQUIRING 
THE USE OF A BRONCHO DILATOR AT A PUBLIC SCHOOL . 
 
7–426.7. 
 
 (A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE F OLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 
INDICATED. 
 
 (2) “ASTHMA” MEANS A CHRONIC LUNG DISEASE THAT INFLAME S 
AND NARROWS AIR PASS AGES, CAUSING RECURRING PE RIODS OF WHEEZING , CHEST 
TIGHTNESS, SHORTNESS OF BRE ATH, AND COUGHING . 
 
 (3) “BRONCHODILATOR ” MEANS MEDICATION THA T RELAXES 
BRONCHIAL MUSCLES , RESULTING IN THE EXP ANSION OF BRONCHIAL AIR 
PASSAGES TO PROVIDE FAST TREATMENT OF AS THMA–RELATED SYMPTOMS AND 
SYMPTOMS OF RESPIRAT ORY DISTRESS. 
 
 (4) “SCHOOL PERSONNEL ” MEANS INDIVIDUALS WH O ARE EMPLOYED 
BY A NONPUBLIC SCHOO L, INCLUDING PART –TIME EMPLOYEES , TEACHERS AND 
SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS EMPLOYED BY THE SCHO OL FOR AT LEAST 7 DAYS EACH 
SCHOOL YEAR , REGISTERED NURSE CAS E MANAGERS , DELEGATING NURSES , AND 
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF. 
 
 (B) (1) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , 
EACH NONPUBLIC SCHOOL IN THE STATE MAY ESTABLISH A POLICY AUTHORIZING 
THE SCHOOL NURSE AND OTHER DESIGNATED SCHOOL PERSONNEL TO ADMINISTER 
A BRONCHODILATOR TO A STUDENT WHO IS DET ERMINED BY AN INDIVI DUAL WHO  Ch. 279 	2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND  
 
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HAS UNDERGONE THE TR AINING PROVIDED UNDER § 7–426.2(C) DEVELOPED UNDER 
§ 7–426.6(C) OF THIS SUBTITLE TO HAVE ASTHMA , IS BE OR, OR IS PERCEIVED TO 
BE, EXPERIENCING ASTHMA–RELATED SYMPTOMS, SYMPTOMS OR IS PERCEIVED TO 
BE IN RESPIRATORY DI STRESS, REGARDLESS OF WHETHE R THE STUDENT : 
 
 (I) HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WI TH ASTHMA OR REACTIV E AIRWAY 
DISEASE; OR 
 
 (II) HAS BEEN PRESCRIBED A BRONCHODILATOR BY AN 
AUTHORIZED LICENSED HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONER UNDER T HE HEALTH 
OCCUPATIONS ARTICLE. 
 
 (2) A SCHOOL NURSE OR ANY OTHER DESIGNATED SCHOOL 
PERSONNEL MAY NOT AD MINISTER A BRONCHODI LATOR TO A PREKINDER GARTEN 
STUDENT UNLESS THE S TUDENT HAS BEEN DIAG NOSED WITH ASTHMA OR A 
REACTIVE AIRWAY DISEA SE AND HAS A PRESCRI PTION FOR A BRONCHOD ILATOR AS 
PRESCRIBED BY THE ST UDENT’S HEALTH CARE PRACTI TIONER. 
 
 (C) THE POLICY ESTABLISHE D UNDER SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION 
SHALL INCLUDE : 
 
 (1) THE TRAINING IDENTIFI ED OR DEVELOPED UNDE R § 7–426.2(C) § 
7–426.6(C) OF THIS SUBTITLE FOR SCHOOL NURSES AND VO LUNTARY SCHOOL 
PERSONNEL WHO ARE DE SIGNATED BY A SCHOOL NURSE AND, IN THE CLINICAL 
JUDGMENT OF THE SCHO OL NURSE, ARE APPROPRIATE RECI PIENTS OF THE 
TRAINING; 
 
 (2) PROCEDURES FOR THE EM ERGENCY ADMINISTRATION OF A 
BRONCHODILATOR BY A SCHOOL NURSE OR DESI GNATED VOLUNTEER SCHOOL 
PERSONNEL ; 
 
 (3) PROCEDURES FOR RECOGN IZING AND THE NEED TO ADMINIST ER 
A BRONCHODILATOR AND FOR ADMINISTERING A BRON CHODILATOR BASED ON THE 
SEVERITY OF THE SYMP TOMS BEING EXPERIENCED BY THE STUDENT ;  
 
 (3) (4) THE PROPER FOLLOW –UP EMERGENCY PROCEDU RES; 
 
 (4) (5) A PROVISION AUTHORIZING A SCHOOL NURSE OR ANY 
OTHER LICENSED HEALT H CARE PRACTITIONER TO OBTAIN, AND A SCHOOL NURSE 
OR ANY OTHER SCHOOL PERSONNEL TO STORE , AT A NONPUBLIC SCHOO L FOR USE 
IN AN EMERGENCY SITU ATION REQUIRING THAT BRONCHODILATORS AND MODES OF 
DELIVERY, INCLUDING INHALERS W ITH SPACERS , BE STORED IN NONPUBL IC 
SCHOOLS TO BE USED I N AN EMERGENCY SITUA TION;   	WES MOORE, Governor 	Ch. 279 
 
– 11 – 
 
 (5) (6) A REQUIREMENT THAT THE NONPUBLIC SCHOOL DEV ELOP 
AND IMPLEMENT A METH OD FOR NOTIFYING THE PARENTS OR GUARDIANS OF 
STUDENTS OF THE SCHO OL’S POLICY UNDER THIS SECTION AT THE BEGIN NING OF 
EACH SCHOOL YEAR ; AND 
 
 (6) (7) A PROVISION AUTHORIZIN G A NONPUBLIC SCH OOL TO 
OBTAIN A STANDING OR DER FOR THE ADMINIST RATION OF BRONCHODIL ATORS; AND 
 
 (8) AN ONGOING PROCESS FO R OVERSIGHT AND MONI TORING BY A 
LICENSED HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONER OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TH E POLICY 
ESTABLISHED UNDER SU BSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION. 
 
 (D) (1) AN AUTHORIZED LICENSE D HEALTH CARE PRACTI TIONER MAY 
PROVIDE BRONCHODILAT ORS TO A SCHOOL NURS E OR DESIGNATED VOLU NTEER 
FOR USE IN ACCORDANC E WITH THIS SECTION . 
 
 (2) BRONCHODILATORS AND M	ODES OF ADMINISTRATI ON, 
INCLUDING INHALERS W ITH SPACERS, USED BY A SCHOOL NUR SE OR ANY OTHER 
DESIGNATED SCHOOL PERSONNEL MUS T BE FROM A LICENSED PHARMACY OR 
MANUFACTURER . 
 
 (3) A NONPUBLIC SCHOOL MAY ACCEPT DONATED 
BRONCHODILATORS AND MODES OF ADMINISTRAT ION, INCLUDING INHALERS W ITH 
SPACERS, FROM A LICENSED PHARMACY OR MANUFACTURER . 
 
 (4) A NONPUBLIC SCHOOL MAY APPLY FOR GRANTS TO OBTAIN 
FUNDING FOR THE PURC HASE OF BRONCHODILAT ORS AND MODES OF 
ADMINISTRATION , INCLUDING INHALERS W ITH SPACERS. 
 
 (E) (1) EXCEPT FOR ANY WILLFU L OR GROSSLY NEGLIGE NT ACT, A 
SCHOOL NURSE OR ANY OTHER SCHOOL PERSONN EL WHO RESPOND IN GO OD FAITH 
TO THE ASTHMA ATTACK OR RESPIRATORY DISTR ESS OF A CHILD IN AC CORDANCE 
WITH THIS SECTION MA Y NOT BE HELD PERSON ALLY LIABLE FOR ANY ACT OR 
OMISSION IN THE COUR SE OF RESPONDING TO THE CHILD IN DISTRESS. 
 
 (2) EXCEPT FOR ANY WILLFU L OR GROSSLY NEGLIGE NT ACT, A 
HEALTH CARE PROVIDER WHO PRESCRIBES OR DI SPENSES A BRONCHODIL ATOR 
USED TO TREAT A CHIL D IN ACCORDANCE WITH PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS 
SUBSECTION MAY NOT B E HELD PERSONALLY LI ABLE FOR ANY ACT OR OMISSION 
THAT OCCURS IN THE C OURSE OF RESPONDING TO THE CHILD IN DIST RESS.  
 
 SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 
1, 2024.   Ch. 279 	2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND  
 
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Approved by the Governor, April 25, 2024.