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Bill

HB 3397

Relating to the administration of medication by open-enrollment charter schools, private schools, and school employees.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by James Frank

Texas bill allowing school employees at charter and private schools to administer medication without licensed nurses present, addressing nursing shortages but raising liability and safety concerns.

Referred to Public Education
#education--primary&secondary--charterschools(i0245) #education--primary&secondary--general(i0230) #education--primary&secondary--otherschoolpersonnel(i0246) #education--primary&secondary--private(i0239) #medicine&prescriptiondrugs(s7338) #minors--health&safety(i0533)
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Bill Summary · HB 3397

Legislative bill overview

HB 3397 would authorize open-enrollment charter schools, private schools, and designated school employees to administer medication to students without requiring a licensed nurse or pharmacist to be present. The bill establishes procedures for medication administration by trained school personnel while maintaining documentation and safety protocols.

Why is this important

Texas schools currently face nursing shortages, with many campuses lacking full-time licensed nurses on staff. This bill would expand who can administer medications, potentially improving student access to necessary treatments (inhalers, EpiPens, diabetes management) during school hours. However, it raises questions about liability, training adequacy, and whether non-medical personnel should handle pharmaceutical administration.

Potential points of contention

  • Training and accountability standards – The bill's specific training requirements, oversight mechanisms, and liability protections for schools and employees administering medication are critical but unclear from the description alone
  • Medication error risks – Non-licensed personnel administering drugs increases potential for dosing errors, drug interactions, or inappropriate administration compared to trained medical professionals
  • Equity concerns – Charter and private schools gaining different medication administration flexibility than traditional public schools could create inconsistent student protections across school types

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

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