File: JLCD – Administration of Medication to Students

Download File: JLCD

The Board discourages the administration of medication to students during the school day when other options exist, but recognizes that in some instances it may be necessary for a student to have medication administered to him/her while the student is in attendance at school. The school will not deny educational opportunities to students requiring the administration of medication in order to remain in attendance and participate in the educational program.

The intent of this policy is to promote the safe administration of medications (including emergency/rescue medications) to students by school personnel and to provide for authorization of student emergency self-administration of medication from asthma inhalers and epinephrine autoinjectors. 

The Board encourages collaboration between parents/guardians and the schools in matters involving student medication.

The Board disclaims any and all responsibility for the diagnosis, prescription of treatment, and administration of medication for any student, and for any injury arising from a student’s self-administration of medication. 

This policy does not apply to medical cannabis or nicotine.

SPECIFIC AUTHORIZATIONS: EPINEPHRINE, NALOXONE, GLUCAGON

This policy authorizes the stocking and administration of epinephrine autoinjectors by the school nurse or designated trained school personnel to any student during school or a school-sponsored activity under emergency circumstances involving anaphylaxis. 

This policy also authorizes the possession and administration of naloxone hydrochloride or other non-injectable opioid overdose-reversing medication by the school nurse or designated trained school personnel to students, staff, or visitors during school on school grounds in emergency circumstances involving an opioid overdose or apparent opioid overdose.

This policy authorizes the school nurse or designated trained unlicensed school personnel to administer glucagon rescue therapy to a student with a known diagnosis of diabetes who has provided their own emergency glucagon. The glucagon must be stored in a secure location, immediately accessible to the school nurse and designated trained unlicensed school personnel, and maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

The Superintendent/designee shall be responsible for developing administrative procedures and/or protocols to implement or supplement this policy. Such procedures/protocols shall include direction regarding:

1. Safe transport of medication to and from school;
2. Administration of medication during field trips and school-sponsored events;
3. Accountability for medications, particularly those regulated by Schedule II of the Controlled Substances Act;
4. Proper storage of medication at school;
5. Training of appropriate staff on administration of emergency medications including the standards for the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis;
6. The procedure to follow in the event of a medication reaction;
7. Access to medications in case of a disaster; 
8. The process for documenting medications given and medication errors; and  
9. The proper disposal of medications not retrieved by parents.
10. The following procedure must be followed for any prescription, over the counter medication or any non-approved FDA medication (i.e. herbal supplements) to be administered to a student pursuant to a health care provider’s order:
    1. Such an order must be obtained from a medical/health practitioner who has a current Maine license with a scope that includes administering medication.

LEGAL REFERENCE:

• 20-A MRSA §§ 254(5); 4009(4); 4502 (5)(N); 6305; 6308
• Me. Dept. of Ed. Rule Ch. 40 
• 21 USC §801 et. seq. (Controlled Substances Act)
• 28 C.F.R. Part 35 (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990)
• 34 C.F.R. Part 104 (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973)
• 34 C.F.R. Part 300 (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)

CROSS REFERENCE:

• JLCD-R – Procedures for Medication Administration 

FIRST READING: January 12, 2017
SECOND READING: January 26, 2017
ADOPTION: January 26, 2017
REVISION, FIRST READING: November 14, 2024
REVISION, SECOND READING: December 12, 2024
REVISION, ADOPTION: December 12, 2024