School committee advances updated medication policy after state regulation change

The Lynn Public Schools policy subcommittee and full school committee on Sept. 25 advanced an updated policy, JLCD, that aligns district practice with a July 4, 2025 update to Massachusetts Department of Public Health regulations (105 CMR 210) governing administration of medications in public and non‑public schools.

Deb Tanzer and Jackie Westren presented the proposed replacement of policy JLCD, highlighting two principal regulatory changes: a defined scope for “regular school activities” (including school‑sanctioned events) and expanded delegation authority that allows school nurses to train unlicensed staff to administer additional emergency rescue medications beyond epinephrine auto‑injectors, including intranasal epinephrine formulations, naloxone (Narcan) and certain seizure rescue medications.

Tanzer said the district updated both the policy and accompanying procedures and had those procedures compliance‑checked. "We have updated the policy JLCD to reflect the changes in the regulation and we also developed procedures to go along with that," she told the committee.

After the presentation the subcommittee voted to move the policy to the full school committee. At the regular meeting the full school committee approved the policy by roll call votes; members voting yes included Member Castellanos, Member Dugan, Member Gaitley, Member Pena, Member Sadoway and Mayor Nicholson.

Superintendent and district staff said the accompanying administrative procedures will guide nurse delegation and training and that translations and parent communications will follow once the policy is posted.

Committee members thanked staff and compliance personnel for preparing the policy and supporting materials.