THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1344

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO EDUCATIONAL HEALTH SERVICES.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  All medication requests to be administered by school health assistants are currently reviewed and must be approved by Hawaii department of health public health nurses.  This process ensures that a health care professional has reviewed the medication request and determined that it is safe and appropriate for a student to receive treatment.  For example, some medications would be best administered before or after school and other medications may not be allowed if a school health assistant is not qualified to assess the need for as-needed medication.  Medication administration is part of the medication management process and requires clinical supervision by a health care professional, including a registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse, physician assistant, or physician, to ensure the health and safety of students if unlicensed assistive personnel, such as school health assistants, are utilized.

     Some schools have a registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse, or other specialized health care provider on campus through written agreements with the department of education.  Partnerships with federally qualified health centers and the University of Hawaii at Manoa school of nursing have greatly improved access to health services for students at school and through telehealth.  Student care would be more efficient, accessible, and safe if the administration of the medication could be performed with the approval of a health care professional within the department of education, department of health, or a health care service per a written agreement with the department of education.  The current law prevents health care professionals who are already on campus or in the school community from performing the function of medication approval.

     The purpose of this Act is to allow administration of medications by school health assistants at school with the approval of a health care professional within the department of education, department of health, or health care service per a written agreement with the department of education.  This Act amends statutes to match the existing department of education practice for administration of medication at schools.  This Act also updates the term "school health aides" to "school health assistants" to reflect updated job titles at the department of education.

     SECTION 2.  Section 302A-708, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "[[]§302A-708  Career development opportunities.[]]  The department of education shall provide career pathways development and training opportunities to all school health [aides] assistants in the school health services field and other fields within the department of education to ensure the opportunity for continued employment with the department of education."

     SECTION 3.  Section 302A-853, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§302A-853  Administration of medication.  (a)  School health [aides] assistants may assist students by administering oral and topical medication, and in emergency situations, other premeasured medication; provided that:

     (1)  If the student receiving the medication is a minor, a parent or guardian requests and authorizes the administration of medication;

     (2)  The medication has been prescribed by a licensed physician, as defined in section 334-1, or by a practitioner with prescriptive authority;

     (3)  The administration of the medication is with the approval of [the department of health; and] a health care professional within the department of education, department of health, or health care service as defined in section 323D-2 per a written agreement with the department of education; and

     (4)  The administration of the medication is necessary for the health of the student and for the student's attendance at school.

     (b)  For purposes of this section, "health care professional" means physicians, surgeons, and others licensed pursuant to chapter 453 and nurses licensed pursuant to chapter 457."

     SECTION 4.  Section 302A-854, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§302A-854  School health [aides;] assistants; compensation.  All full-time school health [aides] assistants employed in the department shall be employed and have their compensation fixed in accordance with chapter 76 and the appropriate collective bargaining agreement, executive order, executive directive, or rule."

     SECTION 5.  Section 457-13, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§457-13  Exceptions.  This chapter does not prohibit:

     (1)  The furnishing of nursing assistance in an emergency;

     (2)  The practice of nursing that is incidental to the program of study engaged in by students enrolled in nursing education programs accredited by the board;

     (3)  The practice of nursing under a nonrenewable permit by:

          (A)  A graduate of; or

          (B)  An applicant who has provided proof that the applicant has completed the entire educational curriculum required for graduation for a nursing license from,

          a school that is in or under the jurisdiction of the United States, a territory, or a foreign jurisdiction, and whose accreditation is recognized by the board; provided that following completion of (A) or (B), the candidate takes the first licensing examination scheduled by any board of nursing recognized by the board and has submitted to the board an application for a license to practice nursing in the State; and provided further that the permit shall be valid for three months or until the results of the licensing examination are received by the board;

     (4)  The practice of any legally qualified nurse of another state who is employed by the United States or any bureau, division, or agency thereof, while in the discharge of the nurse's official duties;

     (5)  The practice of nursing in connection with healing by prayer or spiritual means alone in accordance with the tenets and practice of any well recognized church or religious denomination, provided that no person practicing such nursing claims to practice as a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse; or

     (6)  The administration of oral and topical medication and in emergency situations, other premeasured medication, by school health [aides as provided in section 302A-853.] assistants."

     SECTION 6.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 7.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

BY REQUEST

 

 

Report Title:

Educational Health Services; Medication Administration; School Health Assistants; Exceptions

 

Description:

Allows the administration of medication to public school students by health assistants with the approval of a health care professional within the Department of Education, Department of Health, or a health care service per a written agreement with the Department of Education.  Replaces the term "school health aides" with "school health assistants" to reflect recent changes to the job title.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.