Permits school bus driver to administer epinephrine to student in emergency under certain circumstances.
Impact
This bill expands the scope of responsibilities for school bus drivers and places an emphasis on the collaborative role of parents, health care professionals, and school districts. With the requirement for written authorization from parents and detailed medical orders, the bill seeks to balance proactive medical management with accountability. Importantly, it stipulates that school districts and bus drivers will not be held liable for good faith actions taken during emergencies, thereby encouraging compliance and participation in emergency medical responses.
Summary
Senate Bill S315 permits school bus drivers to administer epinephrine to students experiencing anaphylaxis during emergencies, under specific conditions. This legislation aims to empower school bus drivers to act quickly and efficiently when a student faces a life-threatening allergic reaction, ensuring immediate access to potentially lifesaving medication. The bill outlines the necessary protocols school districts must implement, focusing on the safety of students while riding buses, particularly those with known severe allergies.
Contention
The bill's introduction may bring about differing opinions on the adequacy of training for bus drivers and the implications of increased liability concerns from educational institutions. Critics may point out potential risks associated with having non-medical personnel administer medications under pressure and the need for rigorous training programs to properly equip drivers for such responsibilities. Advocates, however, will likely argue that the bill is a vital step in ensuring the safety and well-being of children with life-threatening allergies while under school supervision.
In school health services, further providing for definitions, for possession and use of asthma inhalers and epinephrine auto-injectors, for school access to emergency epinephrine and for administration of epinephrine auto-injectors by school bus drivers and school crossing guards.
Requires school district monitoring system, New Jersey Quality Single Accountability Continuum (NJQSAC), to include assessment of number of district employees trained in administration of epinephrine to students for anaphylaxis.
In school health services, further providing for definitions, for possession and use of asthma inhalers and epinephrine auto-injectors, for school access to emergency epinephrine and for administration of epinephrine auto-injectors by school bus drivers and school crossing guards.