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A 445

Requires school districts to maintain supply of nasal rescue medication and oxygen for seizure emergencies; provides for training of designees to administer nasal rescue medication and oxygen when school nurse is not physically present.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Rosy Bagolie and 6 co-sponsors

Require districts to stock nasal rescue meds and portable oxygen for seizures and authorize trained designees to administer them when a nurse isn’t present.

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 445

Bill Summary: A445 (New Jersey)

Main purpose

Require school districts to maintain a stock of nasal rescue medications and portable oxygen for seizure emergencies and establish training and authorization processes so designees can administer these medications when a school nurse is not physically present.

Key provisions and changes

  • Seizure action plan integration

    • As part of seizure action plan implementation, each school district must maintain:
    • Diazepam nasal spray, midazolam nasal spray, and other similar nasal rescue medications approved for seizures (as identified in the district’s seizure action plan and prescribed under a standing protocol by a licensed physician or advanced practice nurse).
    • Portable oxygen delivery devices.
    • These supplies must be stored in secure but unlocked locations that are easily accessible to the school nurse and trained designees across the school building.
    • The school nurse designates locations for placement of these medications and oxygen.

  • Roles and responsibilities

    • The school nurse has primary responsibility for administering nasal rescue medications and oxygen.
    • The nurse may designate additional school district employees to administer the nasal rescue medications and oxygen when the nurse is not physically present, after meeting specific criteria.

  • Requirements for designees

    • Designees must be properly trained in administering nasal rescue medication and oxygen using standardized training protocols developed by the Department of Education (in consultation with the Department of Health) and the New Jersey School Nurses Association.
    • Written parental consent must be obtained for each student to allow designees to administer the medications and oxygen.
    • The district must inform parents in writing that the district and its employees/agents have no liability for injuries arising from administration.
    • Parents must acknowledge in writing that the district has no liability and that they will indemnify and hold harmless the district and its staff against any claims related to administration.
    • The consent (and accompanying protections) is valid for the school year and must be renewed annually upon meeting the conditions.

  • Training protocols

    • The Department of Education and Department of Health will develop standardized training protocols (with input from the New Jersey School Nurses Association).
    • Protocols are distributed at the start of each school year and updated as needed.

  • Financial provisions

    • The Department of Education must provide reimbursement to school districts for eligible costs associated with implementing Section 1.
    • The department may accept contributions from private or nonprofit entities to help fund reimbursements.

  • Effective date

    • The act takes effect on the 90th day after enactment, with the Commissioner of Education authorized to take anticipatory administrative steps to implement timely.

Who and what is affected

  • Affected entities: All school districts in New Jersey (and their school buildings).
  • Affected individuals: Students with seizure conditions who may require nasal rescue medication and oxygen; school nurses; designated trained district staff; parents/guardians.
  • Oversight and training bodies: Department of Education; Department of Health; New Jersey School Nurses Association.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Implementation timeline: Requires action to stock medications and oxygen and to establish training and designation processes as part of seizure action plans.
  • Administrative actions: Department of Education to reimburse districts and establish procedures for reimbursement; standardized training protocols to be issued annually and updated as needed.
  • Effective date: 90 days after enactment, with preparatory steps permissible beforehand.

Practical impact and considerations

  • Improved readiness: Ensures prompt access to emergency medications and oxygen during seizures, including times when the nurse is not present.
  • Safety and consent: Reiterates clear consent procedures and liability protections for districts, balanced with explicit parental acknowledgment.
  • Training requirements: Establishes a standardized, collaborative approach to training involving education and health departments and the state nurses association.
  • Fiscal considerations: Provides a mechanism for state reimbursement and potential private funding to offset district costs.

If you’d like, I can compare this bill to current NJ seizure action plan requirements or outline potential implementation challenges for districts.

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

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