Bill Text: NJ S648 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requires under certain circumstances development by certified school nurse of individualized health care plan and individualized emergency health care plan for student with life-threatening allergies or anaphylaxis.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced) 2024-01-09 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee [S648 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2024-S648-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
221st LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2024 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Senator ROBERT W. SINGER
District 30 (Monmouth and Ocean)
Co-Sponsored by:
Senator Diegnan
SYNOPSIS
Requires under certain circumstances development by certified school nurse of individualized health care plan and individualized emergency health care plan for student with life-threatening allergies or anaphylaxis.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
An Act concerning public school students with life-threatening allergies or anaphylaxis, and supplementing P.L.1997, c.368 (C.18A:40-12.5 et seq.).
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. The parent or guardian of a student with a life-threatening allergy or anaphylaxis who seeks care for that student while at school shall inform the certified school nurse who shall develop an individualized health care plan and an individualized emergency health care plan for the student, provided that the parent or guardian of the student annually provides to the board of education written authorization for the provision of care as may be outlined in the individualized plans and which shall be consistent with the directions and recommendations of the student's health care provider, including authorization for the emergency administration of epinephrine , and, if authorized by the parent or guardian pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1993, c.308 (C.18A:40-12.3), authorization for the student's self-management and care of the student's life-threatening allergy or anaphylaxis.
b. The individualized health care plan and individualized emergency health care plan developed in accordance with subsection a. of this section shall be updated by the certified school nurse in accordance with the annually submitted order of a student's health care provider and as necessary in the event that there is a change in the health status of the student.
c. Each individualized health care plan shall include, and each individualized emergency health care plan may include, the following information:
(1) the symptoms of an allergic reaction or anaphylaxis and the recommended treatment;
(2) accommodations for school trips, after-school activities, class parties, and other school-related activities;
(3) education of all school personnel who may come in contact with the student about allergies, how to recognize and treat allergic reactions or anaphylaxis, how to recognize allergic reactions or anaphylaxis, and when to call for assistance; and
(4) how to maintain communications with the student, the student's parent or guardian and health care team, the certified school nurse, and the educational staff.
d. The certified school nurse assigned to a particular school shall coordinate the provision of care at that school for the student with life-threatening allergies or anaphylaxis and shall ensure that appropriate staff are trained in the care of students with life-threatening allergies or anaphylaxis, including staff working with school-sponsored programs outside of the regular school day, as provided in the individualized health care plan and the individualized emergency health care plan.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill provides that if the parent or guardian of a student with a life-threatening allergy or anaphylaxis seeks care for that student while at school, the parent or guardian must inform the certified school nurse who will develop an individualized health care plan and an individualized emergency health care plan for the student.
This bill provides that the individualized plans will be updated by the school nurse at least annually in accordance with the annually submitted order of a student's health care provider and as necessary in the event of a change in the student's health status. Each individualized health care plan is required to include, and each individualized emergency health care plan may include, the following information:
· the symptoms of an allergic reaction or anaphylaxis and the recommended treatment;
· accommodations for school trips, after-school activities, class parties, and other school-related activities;
· education of all school personnel who may come in contact with the student about allergies, how to recognize and treat allergic reactions or anaphylaxis, how to recognize allergic reactions or anaphylaxis, and when to call for assistance; and
· how to maintain communications with the student, the student's parent or guardian and health care team, the school nurse, and the educational staff.
Under the provisions of the bill, in addition to coordinating the care at school for a particular student with life-threatening allergies or anaphylaxis, the certified school nurse will also be responsible for ensuring that appropriate staff are trained in the care of students with life-threatening allergies or anaphylaxis, including staff working with school-sponsored programs outside of the regular school day, as provided in the individualized plans.
