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Bill

HB 1709

Addressing the care of students with adrenal insufficiency by parent-designated adults.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lisa Callan and 4 co-sponsors

Washington allows schools to designate parent-chosen adults to manage adrenal insufficiency emergencies for students, expanding access to emergency care beyond traditional guardians.

Effective date 7/27/2025.
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Bill Summary · HB 1709

Legislative bill overview

HB 1709 authorizes Washington schools to allow parent-designated adults (beyond traditional guardians) to administer emergency medications and provide care for students with adrenal insufficiency during school hours. The bill establishes protocols for schools to recognize and work with these designated caregivers in medical emergencies, particularly for students who may not have readily available parents or legal guardians.

Why is this important

Adrenal insufficiency is a serious endocrine condition where students can experience life-threatening adrenal crises requiring immediate medication (typically injectable epinephrine or hydrocortisone). This bill ensures flexibility in emergency response by allowing trusted adults beyond parents to be trained and authorized to intervene, potentially improving survival outcomes for vulnerable students whose parents may be unavailable or unreliable.

Potential points of contention

  • Liability and oversight concerns: Schools may face questions about legal responsibility if designated adults administer medication incorrectly or if disputes arise about who qualifies as "parent-designated"
  • Training and standardization: Unclear what consistent training requirements exist across districts for non-parental caregivers, potentially creating safety inconsistencies
  • Guardianship ambiguity: The bill navigates complex family situations but may create conflicts in cases involving custody disputes or unclear parental authority

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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