Bill
SB 25-278
Authorizes schools to stock epinephrine auto-injectors and let trained staff treat anaphylaxis with standing orders, backed by liability protections to speed life-saving care.
Status and key dates
- Introduced: April 4, 2025 (Senate)
- Governor signed: May 30, 2025
- Final legislative actions: Sent to governor on May 13, 2025; passed both chambers in May 2025 (Senate and House concurrence on amendments prior to sending).
- Primary sponsors: Brandi Bradley; Kyle Mullica; Rebekah Stewart. Numerous cosponsors from both chambers.
Purpose and intent
- The bill’s title indicates its primary purpose is to govern the availability and administration of epinephrine (typically via auto‑injector) in public schools to respond to anaphylactic emergencies. The overarching goals are to improve student safety during allergic reactions, clarify who may administer epinephrine, and provide legal and procedural frameworks to allow timely emergency care in school settings.
Key provisions (general summary based on bill title)
Note: The full statutory text and fiscal note were not provided. The items below describe the types of provisions commonly included in “epinephrine in schools” bills and are likely components; readers should consult the enacted text for exact language and requirements.
- Authorization to stock epinephrine: Permits school districts and schools to maintain unassigned (stock) epinephrine auto‑injectors for emergency use.
- Administration by school personnel: Allows designated, trained school employees (not only licensed nurses) to administer epinephrine to a student showing signs of anaphylaxis or, in some formulations, to any person on campus experiencing anaphylaxis.
- Training and protocols: Requires training for staff who may administer epinephrine and establishment of written protocols and emergency response procedures at the school or district level.
- Standing orders and medical oversight: Enables use of standing physician orders or statewide protocols to permit administration without a prior individualized prescription for each student.
- Liability protections: Provides civil immunity for staff who administer epinephrine in good faith and without gross negligence.
- Storage, recordkeeping, and reporting: Addresses safe storage, maintenance (e.g., replacement of expired devices), documentation of use, and reporting requirements to parents/guardians and the school health authority.
- Parental notification and opt‑out: May include provisions on notifying parents and whether parents can object to stock epinephrine use for their child.
Who is affected
- Students (especially those with severe allergies), parents and guardians
- School staff (teachers, administrators, school nurses) who may be designated to respond
- School districts/charter schools (policy, training, procurement, and budgeting responsibilities)
- Local health care providers (issuing standing orders or participating in training)
Potential impacts
- Public safety: Faster treatment of anaphylaxis can reduce serious morbidity and potentially save lives.
- Operational/cost effects: Districts may incur costs to purchase and maintain epinephrine auto‑injectors and provide training; fiscal impacts should be detailed in the bill’s fiscal note.
- Legal clarity: Liability protections and standing orders can reduce barriers to use by non‑medical school personnel.
Next steps / where to find details
- Review the enacted bill text and legislative fiscal note for precise requirements, effective date, implementation timelines, and cost estimates.
- Check the state department of education or health for implementing guidance, model protocols, and training resources.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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