Committee approves bill letting trained school staff give certain oral, nasal and topical meds

The House Committee on Education voted to advance Senate Bill 532 SD2, which expands authority for Department of Education staff and agents to administer certain oral, nasal and topical medications to students when appropriate procedures are followed.

The Department of Education and clinical staff described the intake and review process: a parent must request medication administration during the school day and provide a provider’s prescription on a DOE form. A school nurse reviews the form to determine whether the medication is appropriate for administration by a school health assistant; otherwise a licensed nurse or contracted nurse administers medications.

Kinau Gardner, Assistant Superintendent for the DOE, testified the department stands on written testimony in support. Ben Klinsky, a pediatric nurse practitioner and clinical consultant to the school health section, explained routes of administration and examples: "An oral medication is taken through the mouth and swallowed," he said, offering tablets and liquids as examples; "a nasal medication, maybe, like a steroid spray that you put in your nose; and topical medications are creams or ointments that go on the skin."

The Department of Health and the University of Hawaii’s School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene (Dean Clementina Serio Ulep) also testified in support, noting that medication access can reduce missed school and improve learning for children with chronic health needs, including asthma and ADHD. Opposition testimony and public submissions were recorded but the committee adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass with amendments and to align with the House companion HB1499. The chair’s recommendation to pass with amendments was adopted.

Why it matters: Supporters said clear procedures balance student safety, nurse oversight and access to medication needed for attendance and learning.