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Harford County board opens 30-day public comment on stock bronchodilator policy tied to state law
Summary
The board reviewed a proposed policy authorizing school nurses and trained personnel to administer stock albuterol inhalers in emergencies following House Bill 86; administration said MSDE training was completed for nurses and substitutes and will include parent notification procedures.
The Harford County Board of Education opened a 30-day public-comment period Oct. 27 on a proposed policy that would allow school nurses or authorized staff to administer stock bronchodilators — specifically, meter-dose albuterol inhalers — to students who appear to be in respiratory distress.
"This policy was in response to House Bill 86... to be implemented this school year," said Joseph Harbert, director of health and wellness, describing the board policy that aligns school practice with state legislation and MSDE guidance. Harbert told the board that nurses received MSDE training on Aug. 22, 2025, and substitute nurses on Oct. 17, 2025, and that "inhalers have been administered successfully several times already this year." (Quote paraphrased from Harbert.)
Under the proposed language Harbert presented, a bronchodilator may be administered in an emergency "regardless of whether the student has been diagnosed with asthma or reactive airway disease or has been prescribed a bronchodilator," with a safety exception: pre-kindergarten students would receive a bronchodilator only if they have a physician's diagnosis, due to higher clinical risk.
Board members asked clarifying questions about parent notification and liability. "I don't see anywhere on here where it says that parents are notified," said board member Speaker 11 during Q&A; Harbert replied that notification protocols are part of the nurse training and described a tiered approach — immediate notification for higher-level emergencies or notification while treatment is underway.
Board member Speaker 12 asked whether contraindications (for example, underlying heart issues) and potential negligent administration had been reviewed; Harbert said the policy follows MSDE guidance and he would follow up with health services and the deputy health officer, Dr. Jamie Saibel, to confirm liability and contraindication reviews.
Administration reported that all schools currently carry at least one meter-dose albuterol inhaler with a disposable mouthpiece, with an expiration date noted in district inventory records. The board did not vote on the policy; it was placed on public notice and the meeting record shows the district will accept public comment for 30 days.
The board directed staff to add explicit parent-notification language and to report back with confirmation about contraindication/liability review before final consideration.
Next steps: the policy remains open for a 30-day public comment period and staff will return with clarifications on notification and liability to inform a future vote.
