State Rep. Tandy Darby, R-Greenfield, has introduced legislation to improve emergency asthma care across Tennessee. House Bill 760 allows schools and public entities to maintain bronchodilator rescue inhalers to respond quickly to asthma-related emergencies. The legislation would permit health care practitioners to prescribe bronchodilator rescue inhalers to authorized entities, such as child care agencies, youth […]
State Rep. Tandy Darby, R-Greenfield, has introduced legislation to improve emergency asthma care across Tennessee.
House Bill 760 allows schools and public entities to maintain bronchodilator rescue inhalers to respond quickly to asthma-related emergencies.
The legislation would permit health care practitioners to prescribe bronchodilator rescue inhalers to authorized entities, such as child care agencies, youth sports leagues and theme parks. These entities would designate an employee to maintain and administer the inhalers when a physician is not immediately available.
“House Bill 760 allows schools to keep an emergency stock of inhalers for quick, life-saving relief for children experiencing an asthma attack,” Darby said. “While schools currently provide inhalers for students with an asthma action plan, this bill would expand access to emergency inhalers for children who are undiagnosed or forget their inhalers.”
The bill encourages schools to store bronchodilator rescue inhalers in at least two locations, such as the nurse’s office, athletic office, or main office, to ensure access during emergencies. It also allows trained school personnel, including nurses, to administer the inhalers under the guidance of a health care provider’s standing protocol.
To support implementation, the Tennessee State Board of Education, in consultation with the Tennessee Department of Health, will develop clinical protocols for using bronchodilator rescue inhalers in schools.
The bill is designed to improve public safety by making asthma treatment more accessible while protecting those who administer the medication in emergencies.
House Bill 760 will be heard in the Education Committee on March 4.