File: JLCD ADMINISTERING MEDICINES TO STUDENTS The purpose of the law governing the administration of medications to students attending public schools is to provide minimum standards for the safe and proper administration of prescription medications to students in the Commonwealth’s public schools. School nurses are permitted, consistent with regulations, to delegate responsibility for administration of prescription medications to trained, nursing-supervised school personnel, provided the school district, through the Superintendent, registers with the Department of Public Health. Any administration of prescription medications to students requires the specific request/authorization of the parent or guardian under the written direction of the student’s physician. The detailed procedures concerning the administration of prescription drugs to students during school hours are outlined below and more completely found in the Department of Public Health Regulations as below referenced. Following consultation with the school nurse, students who fall into the following exceptions may self-administer medications; pursuant to the law and relevant Department of Public Health Regulations: 1. Students with asthma or other respiratory diseases may possess and administer prescription inhalers or students with life-threatening allergies may possess and administer epinephrine. 2. Students with cystic fibrosis may possess and administer prescription enzyme supplements. 3. Students with diabetes may possess and administer glucoses and monitoring tests and insulin delivery systems. Each school shall allow storage of epinephrine in a secure but unlocked place, as determined by the school nurse, accessible only to authorized persons, located in every part of the school grounds where an allergic student is most at risk, including, but not limited to, classrooms and lunchrooms. Management of the Medication Administration Program A. Amended as follows: The school nurse shall be the supervisor of the medication administration program in the school, and shall be provided by the Superintendent with a copy of the relevant regulations and law, for which she shall sign and date acknowledging receipt thereof. The school nurse shall disseminate to parents or guardians, upon their request, an outline of the school’s medication policies. Any questions between the school and a parent or guardian regarding the administration of medications shall be subject to resolution by the school nurse. The school nurse shall every two years determine, after consulting the

Department of Public Health and appropriate school personnel, whether amendments to the policy are necessary and, if so, any changes should be provided to the Superintendent for adoption by the School Committee. Legal Ref: M.G.L. c. 71:54B 105 CMR 210.00 Department of Public Health Regulations Adopted: September 10, 2013