SENATE BILL REPORT
SHB 2360
As Reported by Senate Committee On:
Early Learning & K-12 Education, February 18, 2026
Title: An act relating to expanding access to albuterol in public and private schools.
Brief Description: Expanding access to albuterol in public and private schools.
Sponsors: House Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Donaghy, Reed, Engell, Bronoske, Zahn, Thomas, Ormsby, Fosse, Salahuddin, Hill and Pollet).
Brief History: Passed House: 2/12/26, 60-34.
Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 2/18/26 [DP, w/oRec].
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Allows public and private schools to maintain and use a supply of albuterol at each school beginning in the 2027-28 school year when certain requirements are met.
  • Provides a uniform procedure, includes employee opt-out provisions, and establishes limits on liability. 
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Wellman, Chair; Nobles, Vice Chair; Wilson, C., Vice Chair; Harris, Ranking Member; Cortes, Dozier, Hansen and Krishnadasan.
Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.
Signed by Senator McCune.
Staff: Ailey Kato (786-7434)
Background:

Student Asthma Policy. In 2005, the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Secretary of Health were directed to develop a uniform policy providing for in-service training for school staff on symptoms, treatment, and monitoring of students with asthma. School districts are required to adopt policies regarding asthma rescue procedures for each school. School districts must allow any student to self-administer medication to treat their asthma or anaphylaxis when certain requirements are met.

 

Statewide Standing Order. Current state law authorizes the Secretary of Health or a designee to issue a prescription or standing order for any biological product, device, or drug for purposes of controlling and preventing the spread of, mitigating, or treating any infectious or noninfectious disease or threat to the public health when certain requirements are met.  

 

Authorization for a School Supply of Epinephrine. Current state law authorizes school districts and private schools to maintain a school supply of epinephrine and epinephrine autoinjectors when certain requirements are met. 
Summary of Bill:

Authorization for a School Supply of Albuterol. Beginning in the 2027-28 school year, school districts, charter schools, state-tribal education compact schools, and private schools are authorized to maintain a supply of albuterol at each school. Albuterol may be acquired from donation sources, but it must be accompanied by a prescription.

 

A licensed health professional with the authority to prescribe albuterol including, but not limited to, the Secretary of Health or designee, may prescribe albuterol in the name of the school district or school to be maintained for use when necessary. 

 

Albuterol from the school or school district supply authorized must be accessed and administered in accordance with a uniform procedure for the management of a student's respiratory symptoms, including breathing difficulties caused by conditions such as asthma, as follows:

  • if the student has a prescription for albuterol on file, a school nurse or designated trained school personnel may administer albuterol; or
  • if the student does not have albuterol or a prescription for albuterol on file, only a school nurse may administer albuterol.

 

Albuterol may be maintained, accessed, and administered on private school or school district property, including the school building, playground, and school bus, as well as during field trips or sanctioned excursions away from school property. The school nurse or designated trained school personnel may transport and carry a reasonable quantity of the school or school district supply of albuterol on field trips or excursions.

 

School employees who are not licensed for nursing care and who have not agreed in writing to include the management of albuterol as a specific part of their job description, may file a written letter of refusal declining to manage albuterol. This letter may not serve as grounds for discharge, nonrenewal of an employment contract, or other action adversely affecting the employee's contract status.

 

Student Asthma Policy. By January 1, 2027, the Superintendent of Public Instruction and Secretary of Health must update the student asthma policy to include a uniform procedure for when school nurses and designated trained school personnel access and administer the school or school district supply of albuterol.

 

School districts may adopt policies regarding the use of albuterol from a school or school district supply. If a school district chooses to adopt a policy, it must include the uniform procedure.

 

Liability protections are included for a licensed health professional prescribing albuterol and a pharmacist dispensing it; and a school nurse or other school employee or contractor administering albuterol in substantial compliance with a prescription and in accordance with policy.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.  New fiscal note requested on February 14, 2026.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

No public hearing was held.
Persons Testifying:

N/A
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying:

N/A