2015 -- H 5047 SUBSTITUTE A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Bennett, Diaz, Hull, Shekarchi, and Handy

     Date Introduced: January 08, 2015

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-21 of the General Laws entitled "Health and Safety of Pupils" is

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hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     16-21-35. Opioid-related drug overdose -- Use of opioid antagonists -- Immunity for

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those administering. – (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the

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following meanings:

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     (1) "Opioid antagonist" means any drug that binds to opioid receptors and blocks or

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disinhibits the effects of opioids acting on those receptors including naloxone hydrochloride, also

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known as Narcan or naloxone.

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     (2) "Opioid-related drug overdose" means a condition including, but not limited to,

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extreme physical illness, decreased level of consciousness, respiratory depression, coma or death

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resulting from the consumption or use of an opioid or another substance with which an opioid

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was combined, or that a layperson would reasonably believe to be an opioid-related drug

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overdose that requires medical assistance.

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     (3) "School setting" means circumstances occurring while at school or at school-

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sponsored events or activities.

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     (b) All public middle schools, junior high schools and high schools, shall provide and

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maintain on-site in each school facility opioid antagonists, as defined herein.

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     (c) To treat a case of suspected opioid overdose in a school setting, any trained nurse-

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teacher may administer an opioid antagonist, during an emergency, to any student or staff

 

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suspected of having an opioid-related drug overdose whether or not there is a previous history of

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opioid abuse. School nurse-teachers may receive training in the administration of opioid

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antagonists provided by the department of health. Provided, school physicians shall prepare

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standing orders for the procedures to be followed in dealing with a suspected opioid overdose in a

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school setting. Such standing orders shall not require any school nurse-teacher to administer an

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opioid antagonist.

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     (d) Opioid antagonists shall be maintained in quantities and types deemed adequate by

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the department of elementary and secondary education and the department of health, who shall

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incorporate into their policies, rules, and regulations a procedure for addressing incidents of

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opioid-related drug overdose in order to provide for the health and safety of children. Any policy,

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rule or regulation shall ensure that the opioid antagonist is kept in a conspicuous place, readily

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available, but with provisions made for the safekeeping and security of the opioid antagonist so

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that the security of the medication will not be compromised.

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     (e) No school nurse-teacher shall be liable for civil damages which may result from acts

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or omissions relating to the use of the opioid antagonist which may constitute ordinary

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negligence; nor shall the school personnel mentioned in this subsection be subject to criminal

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prosecution which may result from acts or omissions in the good faith administration of an opioid

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antagonist. This immunity does not apply to acts or omissions constituting gross negligence or

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willful or wanton conduct.

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     (f) No school nurse-teacher shall be subject to penalty or disciplinary action for refusing

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to be trained in the administration of an opioid antagonist.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

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     This act would require middle schools, junior high schools, and high schools to maintain

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opioid antagonists on the school premises for administration by school nurse-teachers, in an

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emergency to pupils or staff suspected of having an opioid-related drug overdose. School

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physicians would prepare standing orders for the procedures to be followed in dealing with a

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suspected opioid overdose in a school setting. This act would also provide immunity to school

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nurse-teachers for the administration of an opioid antagonist in a school setting.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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