Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Health Medication topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
House committee advances bill letting schools carry emergency albuterol inhalers
Summary
A House committee voted to advance House Bill 600, which would allow — but not require — Montana public schools to keep “stock” albuterol for emergency use; supporters said it could save children’s lives, while opponents urged clearer consent and liability language.
Representative Lucy Cunningham, sponsor of House Bill 600, told the committee the bill would let schools choose to keep a supply of albuterol — a fast‑acting bronchodilator — for emergency asthma and respiratory distress. “This is a bill that would allow, not mandate, that schools could carry stock albuterol,” Cunningham said.
The bill’s nut graf: supporters said stock albuterol would shorten response time in life‑threatening respiratory events and reduce emergency‑department visits; opponents warned the bill lacks explicit informed‑consent language and raises training and liability questions if non‑medical staff must administer medication.
Supporters, including Representative Gist (cosponsor) and several physicians who testified earlier in committee, said albuterol is widely used and that 23 other states allow school stock bronchodilators. “You don’t have a lot of time to sit there and ponder what to do,” Representative Oblander said in support. Backers said the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) and school nursing organizations have developed protocols for training, reporting and follow‑up.
Opponents urged changes before final passage. Representative Gillette said the bill does not include clear informed‑consent or opt‑out procedures and raised concerns about contraindications and training in rural schools without full‑time nurses. “Most schools don’t have school nurses across the state,” Gillette said, asking how dosage decisions would be made and who would be liable in an adverse event.
Cunningham responded she would work with senators and stakeholders on consent forms and protocol language if the bill advances. The committee voted to recommend the bill do pass; the clerk recorded 88 ayes and 11 no votes on the committee motion to advance HB 600.
Ending: The bill now moves toward floor consideration and, if passed, would allow districts to opt in and require school protocols, training and DPHHS reporting after any administration of stock albuterol.
