Signed by Governor Mike DeWine

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires public schools establish a food allergy training program and be provided a list of free or reduced priced EpiPens.

Highlights:

• Requires the Department of Education to annually compile a list of organizations and companies that offer free and reduced cost epinephrine autoinjectors to qualifying school districts, other public schools, and chartered nonpublic schools (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the department shall make the aforementioned information readily available on their web site and send a copy of the list by mail or electronically to each school district, other public school, and chartered nonpublic school (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Board of Education of each city, local, exempted village, and joint vocational school district and the governing authority of each chartered nonpublic school to establish a written policy with respect to protecting students with peanut or other food allergies (Sec. 1.A).

• Specifies that the aforementioned policy shall be developed in consultation with parents, school nurses and other school employees, school volunteers, students, and community members (Sec. 1.A).

• Specifies that only employees of the board who are licensed health professionals, or who have completed a drug administration training program conducted by a licensed health professional and considered appropriate by the board, may administer to a student a drug prescribed for the student (Sec. 4-2).

• Exempts the following from damages in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property (Sec. 1-3313.719.E):

• A school or school district;

• A member of a district board of education;

• A district or school employee or contractor;

• A licensed health professional authorized to prescribe drugs who personally furnishes or prescribes epinephrine autoinjectors, consults with a superintendent, or issues a protocol; or

• An anaphylaxis training organization and its personnel.

Full Bill Text