Allows for unlicensed personnel to administer certain seizure rescue medication in schools, on school grounds and at school events; provides that such medicine may be left with a school health official to be used as needed.
Summary
S05469 would expand New York school health rules to allow certain unlicensed school personnel to be trained to administer seizure rescue medication in emergencies when a licensed health professional is not available. The bill specifically adds diazepam or midazolam nasal spray to the list of medications that may be administered in schools, alongside existing authority for glucagon and epinephrine auto-injectors. It also authorizes licensed school health professionals to train unlicensed personnel to use these medications, subject to commissioner regulations and written permission from a physician or other authorized health care provider, plus written parental consent.
The bill further creates new Education Law sections addressing students diagnosed with epilepsy. It would allow such students to carry and use prescribed diazepam or midazolam nasal spray during the school day and at school functions if they have the required medical authorization and parental consent. It also permits a parent to request that an extra dose be kept with a school nurse or other licensed health professional for emergency use, while making clear that schools are not required to keep a licensed professional on site solely for that purpose. The act would take effect immediately.
Impact
The bill would amend Education Law section 921 and add new sections 902-c and 916-c, expanding the authority of school districts, BOCES, and nonpublic schools to prepare for seizure emergencies. It would create a legal framework for training unlicensed staff, for student self-carry and self-administration of seizure rescue nasal sprays, and for storing a backup dose with school health personnel when requested. It also includes liability protections for school districts, BOCES, and their agents or employees acting in reasonable good faith compliance with the new provisions.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded votes or committee transcripts, the measure appears to be framed as a student health and safety bill with a generally supportive, practical purpose. Its sponsors appear to be seeking to improve emergency response for students with epilepsy and to align school procedures with the use of newer seizure rescue medications. No formal opposition is reflected in the provided materials.
Contention
The main policy issue is the expansion of medication administration authority to unlicensed school personnel, which raises questions about training, scope of responsibility, and emergency readiness. Another point of potential concern is the balance between student access to seizure rescue medication and school operational burdens, especially the provision allowing a spare dose to be kept with a licensed health professional without requiring schools to employ such a professional solely for that purpose. Liability protections may also be a point of discussion, though the bill limits them to reasonable and good faith compliance.
Same As
Allows for unlicensed personnel to administer certain seizure rescue medication in schools, on school grounds and at school events; provides that such medicine may be left with a school health official to be used as needed.
Allows for unlicensed personnel to administer certain seizure rescue medication in schools, on school grounds and at school events; provides that such medicine may be left with a school health official to be used as needed.
Allows for unlicensed personnel to administer certain seizure rescue medication in schools, on school grounds and at school events; provides that such medicine may be left with a school health official to be used as needed.
Requires school districts to maintain supply of nasal rescue medication and oxygen for seizure emergencies; provides for training of designees to administer nasal rescue medication and oxygen when school nurse is not physically present.
Requires school districts to maintain supply of nasal rescue medication and oxygen for seizure emergencies; provides for training of designees to administer nasal rescue medication and oxygen when school nurse is not physically present.
Requires public schools to develop policy for administration of nasal seizure rescue medication and use of manual vagas nerve stimulators for students with seizure disorder on emergent basis.