04-R 225

2004 -- H 8358

Enacted 05/05/04

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING PROVISIONS TO INSURE THAT RHODE ISLAND'S

CHILDREN WITH ASTHMA ARE MEDICALLY SAFE IN THE SCHOOL SETTING

Introduced By: Representatives McNamara, McHugh, Savage, Cerra, and Handy

Date Introduced: March 30, 2004

     WHEREAS, Asthma is a serious, chronic disease that impairs the body’s ability to

effectively exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide; and

     WHEREAS, Asthma must be managed twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a

week in order to avoid the potentially life-threatening short-term consequences of an inadequate

oxygen supply for life function; and

     WHEREAS, There are serious long-term complications from Asthma; and

     WHEREAS, In order to manage their disease, students with Asthma must have support

and access to the means to monitor and treat their Asthma with peak flow meters and medication

while at school and school-related activities; and

     WHEREAS, Students with Asthma need to be medically safe at school while having the

same access to educational opportunities as do all students; and

     WHEREAS, The significant number of students with Asthma and the increasing

prevalence of asthma amongst our school population, has a direct effect on a student’s ability to

learn and places them at risk for serious long and short-term medical complications; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island children with Asthma should be medically safe in every

school in Rhode Island with minimum interruptions to their regular school programs; now,

therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby respectfully requests the American Academy of Pediatrics Rhode

Island Chapter, the Rhode Island Medical Society, the Rhode Island Department of Health, and

the Rhode Island Certified School Nurse Teachers, Inc., encourage the utilization of Asthma

Action Plans by health care providers for all Rhode Island students diagnosed with Asthma; and

be it further

     RESOLVED, That we urge that these Asthma Action Plans be used for the purpose of

addressing the individual student’s treatment needs; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he is hereby authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the American Academy of Pediatrics Rhode

Island Chapter, the Rhode Island Medical Society, the Rhode Island Department of Health, and

the Rhode Island Certified School Nurse Teachers, Inc.

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LC03004

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