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Committee approves bill allowing schools to stock bronchodilators; protocol, training and pharmacy rules clarified
Summary
The committee passed a bill authorizing schools to be named as the patient for stocked bronchodilator prescriptions and allowing trained, volunteer employees to administer them in emergencies. Health and nursing groups offered implementation partnerships.
The House Committee on Education voted to advance HB 903, which authorizes public schools to hold stock bronchodilators for emergency use and allows trained, volunteer employees to administer those medications under an approved protocol.
Proponents said the statute clarifies pharmacy dispensing and would help students with asthma and other respiratory distress remain safely at school. Clementina Serhiyullet, dean at the University of Hawaii Manoa School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene, described existing collaborations between the university and DOE—s Hawaii Keiki program and said the program could help implement training and clinical oversight.
Ben Kalinski, clinical consultant in DOE—s student support branch, explained that the bill—s language enables pharmacies to accept prescriptions with a school named as the patient, a mechanism used in other states. "That prescription can be provided with a school named as the patient," Kalinski said, describing how pharmacies and manufacturers would understand the arrangement.
The Attorney General—s Office and DOE offered clarifying amendments to ensure the bill—s definitions match existing statutory definitions of "school" and recommended assigning some development tasks to appropriate agencies to ensure effective implementation. The Department of Health and nursing organizations offered to assist with protocol development and training.
The committee accepted DOE and university-requested language to make clear that administering stocked bronchodilators does not constitute medical diagnosis or practice of nursing. The committee passed the amended bill and directed agencies to craft implementing protocols and training requirements.
