Chapter 224
2015 -- H 5047 SUBSTITUTE A
Enacted 07/10/2015

A N   A C T
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

Introduced By: Representatives Bennett, Diaz, Hull, Shekarchi, and Handy
Date Introduced: January 08, 2015

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-21 of the General Laws entitled "Health and Safety of Pupils" is
hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
     16-21-35. Opioid-related drug overdose -- Use of opioid antagonists -- Immunity for
those administering. – (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
     (1) "Opioid antagonist" means any drug that binds to opioid receptors and blocks or
disinhibits the effects of opioids acting on those receptors, including naloxone hydrochloride,
also known as Narcan or naloxone.
     (2) "Opioid-related drug overdose" means a condition including, but not limited to,
extreme physical illness, decreased level of consciousness, respiratory depression, coma, or death
resulting from the consumption or use of an opioid or another substance with which an opioid
was combined, or that a layperson would reasonably believe to be an opioid-related drug
overdose that requires medical assistance.
     (3) "School setting" means circumstances occurring while at school or at school-
sponsored events or activities.
     (b) All public middle schools, junior high schools, and high schools, shall provide and
maintain on-site in each school facility opioid antagonists, as defined herein.
     (c) To treat a case of suspected opioid overdose in a school setting, any trained nurse-
teacher may administer an opioid antagonist, during an emergency, to any student or staff
suspected of having an opioid-related drug overdose whether or not there is a previous history of
opioid abuse. School nurse-teachers may receive training in the administration of opioid
antagonists provided by the department of health. Provided, school physicians shall prepare
standing orders for the procedures to be followed in dealing with a suspected opioid overdose in a
school setting. Such standing orders shall not require any school nurse-teacher to administer an
opioid antagonist.
     (d) Opioid antagonists shall be maintained in quantities and types deemed adequate by
the department of elementary and secondary education and the department of health, which shall
incorporate into their policies, rules, and regulations a procedure for addressing incidents of
opioid-related drug overdose in order to provide for the health and safety of children. Any policy,
rule, or regulation shall ensure that the opioid antagonist is kept in a conspicuous place, readily
available, but with provisions made for the safekeeping and security of the opioid antagonist so
that the security of the medication will not be compromised.
     (e) No school nurse-teacher shall be liable for civil damages that may result from acts or
omissions relating to the use of the opioid antagonist that may constitute ordinary negligence; nor
shall the school personnel mentioned in this subsection be subject to criminal prosecution that
may result from acts or omissions in the good faith administration of an opioid antagonist. This
immunity does not apply to acts or omissions constituting gross negligence or willful or wanton
conduct.
     (f) No school nurse-teacher shall be subject to penalty or disciplinary action for refusing
to be trained in the administration of an opioid antagonist.
     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC000177/SUB A/3
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