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Committee approves amended bill allowing schools and camps to stock epinephrine nasal spray; passage as amended 16‑0
Summary
The committee amended and voted unanimously to allow schools, post‑secondary institutions and camps to maintain a supply of FDA‑approved epinephrine nasal spray (brand name Nephi) for use when individuals have no personally prescribed dose available.
The House Committee on Health and Human Services and Elderly Affairs voted to adopt an amendment and then to pass House Bill 63 as amended, authorizing schools, camps and post‑secondary institutions to keep epinephrine nasal spray on hand for emergency use.
Representative Bridal Leon, prime sponsor, told the committee the bill updates statutes to include nasal‑spray epinephrine in addition to auto‑injectors and to clarify pharmacy dispensing authority for supplies dispensed to schools and camps. She cited the FDA approval of a nasal‑spray epinephrine product, brand name Nephi, and said the company offering the product has a program to provide two boxes (four doses) to K‑12 schools at no cost where state law allows stocking.
Kristen Evans, a parent from Pelham, and her 17‑year‑old son Truman testified in favor, describing life‑threatening allergies and the advantage of a needle‑free, easy‑to‑use option. “Seconds matter during an anaphylaxis reaction,” Evans told the committee. Truman described carrying an auto injector daily and said a nasal spray could reduce hesitation by bystanders who might otherwise be reluctant to use a needle device.
Representative Weber moved adoption of amendment 2025‑0067H, described in committee as language permitting supplies not prescribed for a specific individual to be kept on hand for emergency use; Representative DeLamis seconded. The amendment passed on a roll call vote, 16 yeas, 0 nays. Representative DeLamis then moved that the bill pass as amended, Representative Weber seconded, and the committee voted 16‑0 to pass HB 63 as amended.
Committee discussion included practical issues about pharmacist dispensing and program access. Representative Leon said pharmacists and school nurses would be explicitly authorized in statute to dispense and maintain epinephrine auto‑injectors and nasal spray pursuant to prescriptions in the name of schools or institutions, resolving a prior statutory gap.
A separate motion to place the bill on the consent calendar was moved; committee minutes show the bill passed as amended but were recorded as not put on the consent calendar during the session.
The amendment and final committee recommendation to pass as amended were adopted unanimously during the executive session.
