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House committee hears proposal to allow schools to stock emergency albuterol; wide medical and school support
Summary
House Bill 600 would authorize — not require — schools to stock albuterol inhalers for emergency treatment of asthma and respiratory distress. Health providers, DPHHS, Montana Medical Association, school groups and OPI urged passage, saying immediate access reduces emergency calls, hospitalizations and absenteeism. The bill includes training,
Representative Melody Cunningham brought House Bill 600 to the House Education Committee to authorize (not require) schools to stock albuterol inhalers for emergency use when a student or staff member has an asthma exacerbation or acute respiratory distress.
Cunningham told the committee the measure follows national recommendations and existing stock-medication models such as epinephrine for anaphylaxis and naloxone for opioid overdose. "This bill comes out of recommendations from 4 national associations ... and ... there's a trend nationally to have this medication allowed to be in schools for emergency situations," she said.
Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) staff and multiple medical groups testified in strong support. DPHHS public-health staff said asthma…
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