House committee advances bill allowing nasal epinephrine for school emergency kits

Senate Bill 278, which would change state law to allow schools to keep “emergency use epinephrine” in forms other than auto-injectors, was advanced by the House Health & Human Services Committee on a 13-0 vote and sent to the Appropriations Committee.

Proponents said the measure simply updates existing statute to reflect new delivery forms of epinephrine and would remove a statutory barrier that prevents schools from using donated nasal formulations. Representative Stewart, the bill sponsor, called it “a really simple administrative bill” to align statute with current products. Representative Bridal, a co-sponsor, described a personal family emergency and urged support, saying the changes would make immediate care less frightening for students and more practicable for nonmedical school staff.

The bill’s nut graf: supporters and a school nursing expert told the committee the change is narrow — replacing a statutory definition that currently references auto-injector devices only — and would let schools use newer, needle-free nasal epinephrine that some manufacturers are offering to schools at no charge.

In testimony, Laura Phillips, a registered nurse with four decades of experience and director of the National Association of School Nurses representing the Colorado Association of School Nurses, said schools are not staffed with nurses in every building and that nonmedical staff sometimes freeze when asked to administer an injected auto‑injector. “This is the form we’re asking for that is nonthreatening to children and is nonthreatening for nonmedical staff to give,” Phillips said, describing the nasal spray and that current statute prevents use of this form.

Committee members asked practical questions about shelf life and safety. Phillips said the nasal product typically has about a one‑year shelf life and reiterated that the bill only changes the statutory definition so multiple approved forms may be stocked and used in an emergency. Representative Johnson asked why school nurses could not provide the medication now; sponsors and Phillips replied the statute currently defines stock epinephrine as an auto‑injector and the bill simply updates that language.

After brief closing remarks from sponsors, Representative Bradley moved the bill to Appropriations and asked for a favorable recommendation; Representative Johnson seconded. The roll call recorded 13 yes votes and no opposition.

Supporters said the bill removes an administrative obstacle that keeps some schools from accessing donated nasal epinephrine and reduces the barriers for nonmedical staff to administer life‑saving treatment. No amendments were offered during the committee hearing.

Ending: Senate Bill 278 now moves to the Appropriations Committee for further consideration; committee members indicated broad bipartisan support in the hearing.