SSB 6556 -
By Committee on Health Care & Wellness
ADOPTED 03/05/2008
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1 A new section is added to chapter 28A.210
RCW to read as follows:
(1) The office of the superintendent of public instruction, in
consultation with the department of health, shall develop anaphylactic
policy guidelines for schools to prevent anaphylaxis and deal with
medical emergencies resulting from it. The policy guidelines shall be
developed with input from pediatricians, school nurses, other health
care providers, parents of children with life-threatening allergies,
school administrators, teachers, and food service directors.
The policy guidelines shall include, but need not be limited to:
(a) A procedure for each school to follow to develop a treatment
plan including the responsibilities for school nurses and other
appropriate school personnel responsible for responding to a student
who may be experiencing anaphylaxis;
(b) The content of a training course for appropriate school
personnel for preventing and responding to a student who may be
experiencing anaphylaxis;
(c) A procedure for the development of an individualized emergency
health care plan for children with food or other allergies that could
result in anaphylaxis;
(d) A communication plan for the school to follow to gather and
disseminate information on students with food or other allergies who
may experience anaphylaxis;
(e) Strategies for reduction of the risk of exposure to
anaphylactic causative agents including food and other allergens.
(2) For the purpose of this section "anaphylaxis" means a severe
allergic and life-threatening reaction that is a collection of
symptoms, which may include breathing difficulties and a drop in blood
pressure or shock.
(3)(a) By October 15, 2008, the superintendent of public
instruction shall report to the select interim legislative task force
on comprehensive school health reform created in section 6, chapter 5,
Laws of 2007, on the following:
(i) The implementation within school districts of the 2008
guidelines for care of students with life-threatening food allergies
developed by the superintendent pursuant to section 501, chapter 522,
Laws of 2007, including a review of policies developed by the school
districts, the training provided to school personnel, and plans for
follow-up monitoring of policy implementation; and
(ii) Recommendations on requirements for effectively implementing
the school anaphylactic policy guidelines developed under this section.
(b) By March 31, 2009, the superintendent of public instruction
shall report policy guidelines to the appropriate committees of the
legislature and to school districts for the districts to use to develop
and adopt their policies.
(4) By September 1, 2009, each school district shall use the
guidelines developed under subsection (1) of this section to develop
and adopt a school district policy for each school in the district to
follow to assist schools to prevent anaphylaxis."
Correct the title.
EFFECT: Adds that the OSPI must report, by October 15, 2008, to
the School Health Reform Task Force on:
(1) The implementation of the Food Allergy Guidelines within school
districts, including a review of school district policies, the training
provided to school personnel, and plans for follow-up monitoring of
implementation; and
(2) Recommendations on requirements for effectively implementing
the School Anaphylactic Policy Guidelines to be developed under the
bill.
Adds that the OSPI must report the School Anaphylactic Policy
Guidelines to the Legislature, as well as to the school districts, by
March 31, 2009.