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HB 346

Central Carolina Community College Multicampus Center Full-Time Equivalent Calculation.

2025-2026 Session Introduced by Frances Jackson and 3 co-sponsors

HB 346 would require every K–12 school to stock an epinephrine auto-injector and an AED in each building and cafeteria.

Regular Message Sent To Senate
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Bill Summary · HB 346

Summary — HB 346 (School districts: require epinephrine auto‑injectors and AEDs in every building and cafeteria)

Status: Introduced November 12, 2024; Died in Committee
Subject areas: Education; Public Health and Human Services

Main purpose and intent

HB 346 sought to improve emergency response to life‑threatening medical events in K–12 school settings by mandating that each school maintain stock epinephrine auto‑injectors (for anaphylaxis) and automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in every school building and in cafeterias. The intent was to reduce morbidity and mortality from sudden cardiac arrest and severe allergic reactions that occur on campus, particularly when trained medical staff are not immediately available.

Key provisions (as reflected in the bill title)

  • Require schools to maintain at least one epinephrine auto‑injector (EpiPen or equivalent) on site in each school building and in the cafeteria(s).
  • Require schools to maintain at least one AED in each school building and in the cafeteria(s).
  • Implicit operational components commonly associated with such mandates (may have been included or left to agency rulemaking):
    • Designation of staff trained to use epinephrine auto‑injectors and AEDs.
    • Protocols for proper storage, inspection, maintenance, and timely replacement of devices and supplies.
    • Reporting and recordkeeping requirements following device use.
    • Liability protections for school personnel using devices in good faith (typical in similar laws).
    • Coordination with local EMS and health authorities and possible standing medical orders or physician authorization for use of stock epinephrine.

Note: The legislative packet provided does not include full bill text, so the above describes the requirement named in the bill title and likely complementary provisions commonly attached to similar measures.

Who would be affected

  • Public school districts and individual schools (K–12): procurement, training, maintenance responsibilities.
  • School staff: training and potential new duties related to screening, device use, documentation.
  • Students and visitors: increased immediate access to life‑saving interventions.
  • Local school budgets and possibly county/state education or public health agencies (if grants or technical assistance were envisioned).

Fiscal and operational impacts

  • Direct costs: purchase of epinephrine auto‑injectors and AEDs; recurring replacement costs (epinephrine shelf‑life, AED pads/batteries); storage and maintenance.
  • Indirect costs: staff training time, protocol development, recordkeeping, and coordination with medical providers.
  • Potential offsetting benefits: reduced emergency response times, fewer adverse outcomes from anaphylaxis or cardiac arrest, possible reductions in emergency medical expenses and liability exposure.
  • No specific state fiscal note or dollar amounts for this measure are included in the provided materials.

Procedural/timeline notes

  • Introduced: November 12, 2024.
  • Legislative outcome: Died In Committee (bill did not advance to enactment during the session).
  • Next steps typically available to proponents: refile in a subsequent legislative session, pursue administrative rule changes, or seek local (district) policy adoption or grant programs to implement elements of the proposal.

Considerations for stakeholders

  • Cost estimates (device counts, replacement schedules) and an implementation timeline would be needed for budgeting.
  • Training and legal‑liability language are important to secure school staff buy‑in.
  • Coordination with state public health agencies or physician organizations can streamline standing orders for stock epinephrine and ensure compliance with medical oversight requirements.
  • Grants or state funding assistance can reduce the fiscal burden on districts and increase adoption.

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

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