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<section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="7-421" title_number="7" title_name="Public Schools" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Health and Safety of Students">
  <level label="a">
    <level label="1">
      <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>“Health practitioner” means a physician or other individual authorized by law to prescribe prescription drugs or devices.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>“Medication” means an asthma inhaler or other emergency drug that is dispensed for a student only on the prescription of a health practitioner and pertains to the student’s asthma or other airway-constricting disease.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>“Self-administer” means the application or consumption of medication in a manner directed by the health practitioner without additional assistance or direction.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <level label="1">
      <text>Subject to the provisions of this subsection, each public school system shall adopt a written policy authorizing a student to possess and self-administer medication while:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>In school;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>At school-sponsored activities; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>On a school bus or other school property.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <level label="i">
        <text>A student who self-administers medication must have a prior written order from the student’s health care provider and, if the student is a minor, the prior written approval of the student’s parent or guardian.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>The health care provider’s order must be maintained in the student’s educational record at the school.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>A student’s parent or guardian must obtain written verification from the student’s health care provider confirming that the student has the knowledge and skills to safely possess and self-administer the medication.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>The written statements required under this subsection shall be provided to the school at least annually.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>The school nurse shall assess the student’s ability to demonstrate the skill level necessary to ensure proper and effective use of the medication in school.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="6">
      <text>A student may be subject to disciplinary action if the student does not use the medication in a safe and proper manner.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>The Department shall provide each public school system with written State guidelines to implement this section.</text>
  </level>
</section>
