RCW 28A.210.370: Students with asthma and anaphylaxis—Uniform policy—Authorization for self-medication.

(1) The superintendent of public instruction and the secretary of the department of health shall develop a uniform policy for all school districts providing for the in-service training for school staff on symptoms, treatment, and monitoring of students with asthma and on the additional observations that may be needed in different situations that may arise during the school day and during school-sponsored events. The policy shall include the standards and skills that must be in place for in-service training of school staff.

(2) By January 1, 2027, the superintendent of public instruction and the secretary of the department of health shall update the uniform policy developed under subsection (1) of this section to include a uniform procedure for when school nurses and designated trained school personnel access and administer the school or school district supply of albuterol as authorized under RCW 28A.210.373 for the management of a student's respiratory symptoms, including breathing difficulties caused by conditions such as asthma.

(3)(a) All school districts shall adopt policies regarding asthma rescue procedures for each school within the district.

(b) School districts may adopt policies regarding the use of albuterol from a school or school district supply authorized under RCW 28A.210.373. If a school district chooses to adopt a policy under this subsection, it must include the uniform procedure developed under subsection (2) of this section.

(4) All school districts must require that each public elementary school and secondary school grant to any student in the school authorization for the self-administration of medication to treat that student's asthma or anaphylaxis, if:

(a) A health care practitioner prescribed the medication for use by the student during school hours and instructed the student in the correct and responsible use of the medication;

(b) The student has demonstrated to the health care practitioner, or the practitioner's designee, and a professional registered nurse at the school, the skill level necessary to use the medication and any device that is necessary to administer the medication as prescribed;

(c) The health care practitioner formulates a written treatment plan for managing asthma or anaphylaxis episodes of the student and for medication use by the student during school hours; and

(d) The student's parent or guardian has completed and submitted to the school any written documentation required by the school, including the treatment plan formulated under (c) of this subsection and other documents related to liability.

(5) An authorization granted under subsection (4) of this section must allow the student involved to possess and use his or her medication:

(a) While in school;

(b) While at a school-sponsored activity, such as a sporting event; and

(c) In transit to or from school or school-sponsored activities.

(6) An authorization granted under subsection (4) of this section:

(a) Must be effective only for the same school and school year for which it is granted; and

(b) Must be renewed by the parent or guardian each subsequent school year in accordance with this subsection.

(7) School districts must require that backup medication, if provided by a student's parent or guardian, be kept at a student's school in a location to which the student has immediate access in the event of an asthma or anaphylaxis emergency.

(8) School districts must require that information described in subsection (4)(c) and (d) of this section be kept on file at the student's school in a location easily accessible in the event of an asthma or anaphylaxis emergency.

(9) For the purposes of this section, "albuterol" has the same meaning as in RCW 28A.210.373.

(10) Nothing in this section creates a cause of action or in any other way increases or diminishes the liability of any person under any other law.