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Bill

A 4676

Requires public schools to develop policy for administration of nasal seizure rescue medication and use of manual vagas nerve stimulators for students with seizure disorder on emergent basis.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Al Barlas and 8 co-sponsors

The bill standardizes in-school emergency response for seizures by permitting trained staff to administer nasal rescue medication and mVNS under policy, training, and consent requi

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee
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Bill Summary · A 4676

Bill Overview

A 4676 (Session 222, New Jersey) would require public schools to establish policy guidance for emergency administration of nasal seizure rescue medication and the use of a manual vagus nerve stimulator (mVNS) for students with seizure disorders. The bill modifies P.L.2019, c.290 to expand who may administer these interventions and to formalize training, consent, liability, and procedural requirements. It takes effect 12 months after enactment, with some anticipatory action allowed for implementation.

Main Purpose and Intent

  • Ensure timely, school-based response to seizure emergencies by codifying a structured process for administering nasal seizure rescue medication and using an mVNS when a school nurse is not present.
  • Extend delegated authority to trained non-nursing school staff, under the supervision of a certified school nurse, to act in emergencies.
  • Promote student safety while clarifying liability protections and consent requirements.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Definitions: Expands nomenclature around individualized health and emergency care planning (individualized emergency health care plan, individualized health care plan, seizure action plan) and clarifies roles.
  • Policy Requirement (Section 3, new): Each board of education must develop a district policy for emergency administration of nasal seizure rescue medication and mVNS use, aligned with Department of Education guidelines.
  • Designees and Training (Section 3, new):
    • The certified school nurse will designate at least two additional district employees to act as designees when the nurse is not present.
    • Designees must be trained in defibrillator use, CPR certification, and administration of the nasal rescue medication and mVNS via standardized protocols, with training overseen by the DOE and DOH.
    • Designees must be approved by the nurse and have written parental consent to administer interventions.
  • Liability and Indemnification (Section 3, new):
    • The district, its employees, and agents would have no liability for injuries resulting from designee actions, provided actions are in good faith and within the policy framework (excluding willful misconduct, gross negligence, or recklessness).
    • Parents must acknowledge the district’s lack of liability and agree to indemnify the district.
  • Operational Requirements (Section 3, new):
    • After administration, student transport to hospital ER by EMS if indicated; follow-up depends on the seizure action plan.
    • An alternative plan must exist if the seizure action plan prohibits designee administration.
    • Medication or mVNS supplies may be provided by the parent or carried by the student if permitted by the seizure action plan.
  • Guideline Development (Section 4, new): DOE, in consultation with Health, experts, and relevant organizations, must develop and disseminate guidelines for policy development.
  • Training Protocols (Section 5, new): DOE and DOH will jointly develop training protocols for designees, with input from the New Jersey State School Nurses Association.
  • Age-Appropriate Education (Section 6, new): DOE must ensure age-appropriate epilepsy/seizure education is provided in schools at specified grade bands (K–3 and grades 6–12).

Who is Affected

  • Public school districts and boards of education.
  • Certified school nurses and designated designees (trained school staff).
  • Students with epilepsy or seizure disorders who may require nasal rescue medication or mVNS.
  • Parents/guardians of affected students.
  • DOE and DOH, which would develop guidelines and training protocols.
  • EMS/EMT providers as part of the post-emergency actions.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Effective date: First day of the 12th month after enactment.
  • Anticipatory action: DOE may begin implementing training protocols and guidelines ahead of the effective date.
  • Annual renewal: Written consent and liability waivers/indemnifications are tied to each school year’s permissions.

Overall, the bill aims to standardize emergency response for seizure events in schools, expand trained personnel who can administer rescue interventions, and clarify liability while ensuring parental consent and student safety.

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

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