HF2489

HF2489 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Epinephrine access in schools requirements modified.

Related bill: SF2690

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to enhance the safety of students with severe allergies in Minnesota schools by modifying the regulations concerning the accessibility and administration of epinephrine auto-injectors, commonly known as EpiPens. It seeks to ensure that students with life-threatening allergies have immediate access to these devices.

Main Provisions

Individual Health Plans: Schools are required to work with parents and medical professionals to create a personalized health plan for students prescribed epinephrine auto-injectors. This plan must detail how the student can possess or quickly access these auto-injectors during the school day.
Epinephrine Auto-Injector Accessibility: Schools are authorized to maintain a stock supply of epinephrine auto-injectors. They can be administered by trained school personnel, including nurses, to any individual experiencing anaphylaxis, whether or not they have a personal prescription.
Good Faith Immunity: The bill provides legal protection to school districts and personnel who act in good faith when administering epinephrine under the plan to handle allergy emergencies.
Training and Policy Development: The bill encourages districts to assess staff training needs for recognizing anaphylaxis and administer epinephrine. It also allows the commissioners of education and health to develop model policies to guide schools in implementing these requirements.
Funding and Procurement: Schools can enter agreements with manufacturers to acquire epinephrine auto-injectors at free or reduced prices, helping them maintain an adequate supply for emergencies.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

The bill amends the Minnesota Statutes to expand and clarify the mechanisms through which epinephrine auto-injectors can be accessed and used in schools. It emphasizes creating specific health plans, mandating accessible stock supplies in schools, and ensuring legal protections and resources are in place to manage allergic emergencies effectively. The requirements for staff training and parent cooperation in these health plans are also more clearly laid out compared to previous statutes.

Relevant Terms

epinephrine, auto-injectors, allergy, anaphylaxis, health plan, school nurse, medical emergency, EpiPen, legal protection, school policy, training, accessibility, stock supply.

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF file
1st Engrossment PDF file

Past committee meetings

Health Finance and Policy on: April 02, 2025 13:00

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
March 16, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading, referred to	Education Policy
March 19, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Author added
March 23, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Authors added
March 23, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Authors added
March 25, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Authors added
March 26, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Author added
April 01, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Committee report, to adopt as amended and re-refer to	Health Finance and Policy

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Inclusions for epinephrine autoinjectors and asthma inhalers."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "No specific removals mentioned"
      ],
      "summary": "Modifications to requirements for use of drugs or medicine in schools as described in section 121A.22.",
      "modified": [
        "Adjustments to conditions in which medications can be used without a prescription within school settings."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "121A.22"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clarification on minor's consent relating to medicinal use at schools."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "No specific removals mentioned"
      ],
      "summary": "References situations that involve minor's consent related to health services.",
      "modified": [
        "Provides reference to instances where minors can independently use medications."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "144.343"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Model policy for individualized health plans."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "No specific removals mentioned"
      ],
      "summary": "Amendments related to the possession and usage of epinephrine autoinjectors in schools under section 121A.2205.",
      "modified": [
        "Greater definition and scope for use of epinephrine autoinjectors."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "121A.2205"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Conditions-specific protocol for epinephrine autoinjector use by nurses."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "No specific removals mentioned"
      ],
      "summary": "Reference to nursing protocols regarding administration of medication.",
      "modified": [
        "Allows practical nurses to administer under specific conditions."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "148.235"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Provision for schools to obtain and administer epinephrine without a prescription."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "No specific removals mentioned"
      ],
      "summary": "References permissions for schools to maintain a stock supply of epinephrine autoinjectors.",
      "modified": [
        "Exemptions for schools from standard prescription requirements."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "151.37"
  }
]