This page contains several documents addressing chronic health conditions in schools

This page addresses chronic health conditions in schools

(15) Annually, with the Commissioner of Health, shall jointly inform superintendents and principals of appropriate practices regarding students with life-threatening allergies and chronic illnesses; and prepare and distribute policies,training materials, and school guidelines for managing students with life-threatening allergies and chronic illnesses, including family responsibilities, school responsibilities, and student responsibilities.

The plan of action shall be based upon the written documentation provided by the student's physician and shall include the name of each emergency medication, the dosage, and the times and circumstances under which the medication is to be taken. The written plan shall prominently state that the medication is solely for the use of the student covered by the plan. The parties developing the plan of action shall determine both to whom the plan, or notification of the plan, shall be given and the person or persons responsible for distribution or notification. The plan may include a requirement that the student notify a school employee or agent after self-administering emergency medication. The written plan shall become part of the student's health records maintained by the school.

(a) Pursuant to the requirements of this section, each public and approved independent school in the State shall permit students with life-threatening allergies or with asthma to possess and self-administer emergency medication at school, on school grounds, at school-sponsored activities, on school-provided transportation, and during school-related programs.

(b) In each school year for which possession and self-administration of emergency medication is requested, the student'sparent or guardian shall provide the school with:

• (1) written authorization, on a form to be provided by the school, for the student to possess and self-administeremergency medication;
• (2) written documentation from the student's physician:
• (A) stating that the student has one or more life-threatening allergies or asthma or both;
• (B) providing the name of the emergency medication, the dosage, and the times and circumstances under which themedication is to be taken;
• (C) affirming that the student:
• (i) is capable of, and has been instructed by the physician in, the proper method of self-administration of theemergency medication;
• (ii) has been advised of possible side-effects of the medication;(iii) has been informed of when and how to access emergency services.

(c) In each school year for which possession and self-administration of emergency medication is requested, the student's parent or guardian shall develop, in consultation with the school nurse or the designated health care staff at an approved independent school, a plan of action regarding responding to the student's life-threatening allergy or allergies or asthma.

(f) On or before January 1, 2014, the State Board, in consultation with the Department of Health, shall adopt policies for managing students with life-threatening allergies and other individuals with life-threatening allergies who may be present at a school. The policies shall:

• (1) establish protocols to prevent exposure to allergens in schools;
• (2) establish procedures for responding to life-threatening allergic reactions in schools, including postemergency procedures;
• (3) implement a process for schools and the parents or guardians of students with a life-threatening allergy to jointly develop a written individualized allergy management plan of action that:
• (A) incorporates instructions from a student's physician regarding the student's life-threatening allergy and prescribed treatment;
• (B) includes the requirements of section 1387 of this title, if a student is authorized to possess and self-administer emergency medication at school;
• (C) becomes part of the student's health records maintained by the school; and
• (D) is updated each school year;
• (4) require education and training for school nurses and designated personnel, including training related to storing and administering an epinephrine auto-injector and recognizing and responding to a life-threatening allergic reaction; and
• (5) require each school to make publicly available protocols and procedures developed in accordance with the policies adopted by the State Board under this section.