House approves bill letting schools keep albuterol for students in respiratory distress

The Washington State House on the floor advanced and then passed Substitute House Bill 23 60, a bill to allow public and private schools to have albuterol on hand for students exhibiting respiratory distress. The House rejected a motion to recommit the bill to the Health Care and Wellness Committee before approving the substitute and then taking final passage.

Supporters said the substitute incorporated input from nurses, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Department of Health. Representative Donahue said the measure would make potentially life-saving medication available at schools, arguing, "This bill will allow schools to have albuterol in the event that a student has respiratory distress." Opponents raised concerns about training, follow-up care and parental notification. Representative Marshall said she supported the bill's premise but warned about the consequences after an emergency use and about varying nursing qualifications across districts. Representative Orcutt warned of possible drug-interaction risks if staff are not clinically trained to evaluate concurrent asthma medications.

The House first voted on Representative Marshall's motion to recommit the bill to the Health Care and Wellness Committee; that motion failed on a roll call of 38 yays, 56 nays, 4 excused. With the committee-substituted text on the floor by unanimous consent, members debated the bill on its merits and then approved final passage by roll call, 60 ayes to 34 nays.

The bill’s sponsors said the measure is intended to give school nurses an emergency tool to stabilize a child until additional medical help arrives; opponents asked for clearer protocols on 911 activation, post-use transport and medical follow-up. The House advanced the substitute to third reading and then declared the bill passed.