Document provides guidance on managing life-threatening food allergies in the school setting.

(a) Each district board of education shall develop and adopt the following written policies, procedures, and mechanisms for the provision of health, safety, and medical emergency services, and shall ensure staff are informed as appropriate:

• (11) Management of food allergies in the school setting and the emergency administration of epinephrine to students for anaphylaxis pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:40-12.6a through 12.6d.

1. Each board of education or chief school administrator of a nonpublic school shall develop a policy in accordance with the guidelines established by the Department of Education pursuant to section 4 of P.L.2007, c.57 (C.18A:40-12.6a) for the emergency administration of epinephrine via a pre-filled auto-injector mechanism to a pupil for anaphylaxis provided that:
   • a. the parents or guardians of the pupil provide to the board of education or chief school administrator of a nonpublic school written authorization for the administration of the epinephrine;
   • b. the parents or guardians of the pupil provide to the board of education or chief school administrator of a nonpublic school written orders from the physician or advanced practice nurse that the pupil requires the administration of epinephrine for anaphylaxis;
   • c. the board or chief school administrator of a nonpublic school informs the parents or guardians of the pupil in writing that the district and its employees or agents or the nonpublic school and its employees or agents shall have no liability as a result of any injury arising from the administration of the epinephrine via a pre-filled auto-injector mechanism;
   • d. the parents or guardians of the pupil sign a statement acknowledging their understanding that the district or the nonpublic school shall have no liability as a result of any injury arising from the administration of the epinephrine via a pre-filled auto-injector mechanism to the pupil and that the parents or guardians shall indemnify and hold harmless the district and its employees or agents or the nonpublic school and its employees or agents against any claims arising out of the administration of the epinephrine via a pre-filled auto-injector mechanism; and
   • e. the permission is effective for the school year for which it is granted and is renewed for each subsequent school year upon fulfillment of the requirements in subsections a. through d. of this section.

The policy developed by a board of education or chief school administrator of a nonpublic school shall require:

• (1) the placement of a pupil's prescribed epinephrine in a secure but unlocked location easily accessible by the school nurse and designees to ensure prompt availability in the event of an allergic emergency at school or at a school-sponsored function. The location of the epinephrine shall be indicated on the pupil's emergency care plan. Back-up epinephrine via a pre-filled auto-injector mechanism shall also be available at the school if needed;
• (2) the school nurse or designee to be promptly available on site at the school and school-sponsored functions in the event of an allergic reaction; and
• (3) the transportation of the pupil to a hospital emergency room by emergency services personnel after the administration of epinephrine, even if the pupil's symptoms appear to have resolved.

2. The policy for the administration of medication to a pupil shall provide that the school nurse shall have the primary responsibility for the administration of the epinephrine. The school nurse shall designate, in consultation with the board of education, or chief school administrator of a nonpublic school additional employees of the school district or nonpublic school who volunteer to administer epinephrine via a pre-filled auto-injector mechanism to a pupil for anaphylaxis when the nurse is not physically present at the scene. In the event that a licensed athletic trainer volunteers to administer epinephrine, it shall not constitute a violation of the "Athletic Training Licensure Act," P.L.1984, c.203 (C.45:9-37.35 et seq.).

Except as otherwise provided pursuant to subsection f. of section 1 of P.L.1997, c.368 (C.18A:40-12.5), the school nurse shall determine that:

• a. the designees have been properly trained in the administration of the epinephrine via a pre-filled auto-injector mechanism using standardized training protocols established by the Department of Education in consultation with the Department of Health;
• b. the parents or guardians of the pupil consent in writing to the administration of the epinephrine via a pre-filled auto-injector mechanism by the designees;
• c. the board or chief school administrator of a nonpublic school informs the parents or guardians of the pupil in writing that the district and its employees or agents or the nonpublic school and its employees and agents shall have no liability as a result of any injury arising from the administration of the epinephrine to the pupil;
• d. the parents or guardians of the pupil sign a statement acknowledging their understanding that the district or nonpublic school shall have no liability as a result of any injury arising from the administration of the epinephrine via a pre-filled auto-injector mechanism to the pupil and that the parents or guardians shall indemnify and hold harmless the district and its employees or agents against any claims arising out of the administration of the epinephrine via a pre-filled auto-injector mechanism to the pupil; and
• e. the permission is effective for the school year for which it is granted and is renewed for each subsequent school year upon fulfillment of the requirements in subsections a. through d. of this section.

4. The Department of Education, in consultation with the Department of Health, appropriate medical experts, and professional organizations representing school nurses, principals, teachers, and the food allergy community, shall establish and disseminate to each board of education and chief school administrator of a nonpublic school guidelines for the development of a policy by a school district or nonpublic school for the management of food allergies in the school setting and the emergency administration of epinephrine to students for anaphylaxis.

Document addresses allergy care as part of larger plan to manage chronic health conditions.

Document provides training guidane on emergency administration of epinephrine.