HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2247

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Reported by House Committee On:

Health Care & Wellness

Title: An act relating to expanding the types of medications that a public or private school employee may administer to include topical medication, eye drops, and ear drops.

Brief Description: Expanding the types of medications that a public or private school employee may administer to include topical medication, eye drops, and ear drops.

Sponsors: Representatives Green, Cody, Billig, Fitzgibbon, Reykdal, Maxwell, Jinkins, Finn, Moeller and Ryu.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Health Care & Wellness: 1/18/12, 1/23/12 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Allows school employees to administer topical medications, eye drops, or ear drops.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 11 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Jinkins, Vice Chair; Schmick, Ranking Minority Member; Hinkle, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Bailey, Clibborn, Green, Harris, Kelley, Moeller and Van De Wege.

Staff: Jim Morishima (786-7191).

Background:

A public or private school employee may administer oral medications to children who are in the custody of the public or private school at the time of administration if the following conditions are met:

A school employee, school district, or private school is immune from civil or criminal liability arising from the administration of medications in a manner that complies with state law, the applicable prescription, and applicable written instructions. Similarly, a school employee, school district, or private school is immune from criminal or civil liability for the discontinuance of the medication as long as notice has been given to the parent, legal guardian, or other person having legal control over the student.

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Summary of Bill:

The type of medication that may be administered by a school employee is expanded to include topical medication, eye drops, and ear drops.

In order to be able to administer the medications, a physician, advanced registered nurse practitioner, or registered nurse must be designated to delegate to (in addition to training and supervising) the designated employee in proper medication procedures.

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Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) Currently, school employees can administer oral medications, but not by other routes. This can be an unnecessary burden for school nurses. A lot of parents do not understand why school employees may not administer topical medications, ear drops, and eye drops. There are not a lot of safety risks associated with these drugs. School nurses would make sure, just like they do with oral medications, that these medications would be delivered safely.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Lynn Nelson, School Nurse Organization of Washington; and Paula Meyer, Nursing Commission.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.