THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	28
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

 

encouraging the department of education to modify its medication administration policy so that all students affected by anaphylaxis will have more efficient access to auto-injectable epinephrine.

 

 

     WHEREAS, anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction caused by exposure to certain foods, medicines, venoms, or other foreign bodies that may cause epidermal, respiratory, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal irregularities; and

 

     WHEREAS, according to a study released in 2013 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, food allergies among children increased by approximately fifty percent between 1997 and 2011; and

 

     WHEREAS, the early use of epinephrine is the most important step in managing anaphylaxis; and

 

     WHEREAS, an accessible supply of auto-injectable epinephrine that is located within twenty-five yards of a highly populated area on school grounds is necessary to provide immediate relief in the case of a student experiencing anaphylaxis in response to a foreign substance; and

 

     WHEREAS, some students need assistance with auto-injectable epinephrine as they are incapable of self-administering due to age, disability, effects of the allergic reaction, or other reason; and

 

     WHEREAS, the current Department of Education policy only permits auto-injectable epinephrine to be stored by schools and self-administered by students without the assistance of school employees or volunteers; and

 

     WHEREAS, the delayed administration of epinephrine can be severely detrimental to the wellbeing of the student; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-eighth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2015, that the Department of Education is encouraged to modify its medication administration policy so that all students affected by anaphylaxis have more efficient access to auto-injectable epinephrine; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is encouraged to adopt standards for training and drills so that Department of Education employees and volunteers shall be qualified and strategically placed throughout the school's grounds to properly administer auto-injectable epinephrine; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education submit a report to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2016 on the status of implementation; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Chairperson of the Board of Education, Superintendent of Education, Director of Health, and Chairperson of the State Public Charter School Commission.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Department of Education; Medication Administration; Auto-Injectable Epinephrine