AB 502

Under current law, certain school personnel who are authorized to do so by the

school administrator, may administer an epinephrine auto-injector (a device

designated to prevent or treat a life-threatening allergic reaction) to a pupil who

appears to be experiencing a severe allergic reaction if the person who does so reports

the allergic reaction dialing 911 as soon as practicable.

This bill eliminates this provision. Under the bill, the governing body of a

public, private, or tribal school may adopt a plan for the management of pupils

attending the school who have life-threatening allergies. The plan must be approved

by a physician. If the governing body adopts a plan, it may authorize a school nurse,

or designated school personnel who have received training specified in the school's

plan, to do any of the following on a school premises or at a school-sponsored activity.

1. Provide an epinephrine auto-injector to a pupil to self-administer the

auto-injector in accordance with a prescription specific to the pupil that is on file

with the school nurse.

2. Administer an epinephrine auto-injector to a pupil in accordance with a

prescription specific to the pupil that is on file with the school nurse.

3. Administer an epinephrine auto-injector to a pupil or other person who the

school nurse or designated personnel believes is experiencing anaphylaxis,

regardless of whether the pupil or other person has a prescription for an epinephrine

auto-injector.

The bill grants immunity from civil liability for a school and specified school

personnel for injuries resulting from the administration or self-administration of

epinephrine auto-injectors. The bill requires each school that has adopted a plan

described above to report to the Department of Public Instruction each incident on

school premises or at a school-sponsored activity that involved a severe allergic

reaction or the administration of an epinephrine auto-injector.