BOARD POLICY - 5141.21

The Board of Education believes that regular school attendance is critical to student learning and that students who need to take medication prescribed or ordered for them by their authorized health care providers should be able to participate in the educational program.

Any medication prescribed for a student with a disability who is qualified to receive services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 shall be administered in accordance with the student's individualized education program or Section 504 services plan, as applicable.

For the administration of medication to other students during school or school-related activities, the Superintendent or designee shall develop protocols which shall include options for allowing parents/guardians to administer medication to their child at school, designate other individuals to do so on their behalf, and, with the student's authorized health care provider's approval, request the district's permission for the student to self-administer a medication or self-monitor and/or self-test for a medical condition. Such processes shall be implemented in a manner that preserves campus security, minimizes instructional interruptions, and promotes student safety and privacy.

The Superintendent or designee shall make epinephrine auto-injectors available at each school for providing emergency medical aid to any person suffering, or reasonably believed to be suffering, from an anaphylactic reaction.  (Education Code 49414) 

The Superintendent or designee shall make naloxone hydrochloride or another opioid antagonist available at all schools for emergency medical aid to any person suffering, or reasonably believed to be suffering, from an opioid overdose. (Education Code 49414.3)

The Superintendent or designee shall collaborate with city and county emergency responders, including local public health administrators, to design procedures or measures for addressing an emergency such as a public disaster or epidemic.

The Irvine Unified School District has developed guidelines for the care of students diagnosed with Diabetes Type 1 (Insulin Dependent) or Diabetes Type 2 (requiring insulin at school).  Such guidelines shall include a Diabetes Medical Management Plan from a California-licensed health care provider. The Diabetes Medical Management Plan ensures that the student receives safe diabetes management care at school.

Administration of Medication by School Personnel

When allowed by law, medication prescribed to a student by an authorized health care provider may be administered by a school nurse or, when a school nurse or other medically licensed person is unavailable and the physician has authorized administration of medication by unlicensed personnel for a particular student, by other designated school personnel with appropriate training. School nurses and other designated school personnel shall administer medications to students in accordance with law, Board policy, administrative regulation, and, as applicable, the written statement provided by the student's parent/guardian and authorized health care provider. Such personnel shall be afforded appropriate liability protection, by the District.

The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that school personnel designated to administer any medication receive appropriate training and, as necessary, re-training from qualified medical personnel before any medication is administered. At a minimum, the training shall cover how and when such medication should be administered, the recognition of symptoms and treatment, emergency follow-up procedures, and the proper documentation and storage of medication. Such trained, unlicensed designated school personnel shall be supervised by, and provided with immediate communication access to, a school nurse, physician, or other appropriate individual.

The Superintendent or designee shall maintain documentation of the training and ongoing supervision, as well as annual written verification of competency of other designated school personnel.

Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
48980 Notification at beginning of term
49407 Liability for treatment
49408 Emergency information
49414 Emergency epinephrine auto-injectors
49414.3 Emergency medical assistance; administration of medication for opioid overdose
49414.5 Providing school personnel with voluntary emergency training
49422-49427 Employment of medical personnel, especially:
49423 Administration of prescribed medication for student
49480 Continuing medication regimen; notice
BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE
2700-2837 Nursing, especially:
2726 Authority not conferred
2727 Exceptions in general
3501 Definitions
4119.2 Acquisition of epinephrine auto-injectors
4119.8 Acquisition of naloxone hydrochloride or another opioid antagonist
CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 5
600-611 Administering medication to students
UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 20
1232g Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974
1400-1482 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 29
794 Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504
COURT DECISIONS
American Nurses Association v. Torlakson, (2013) 57 Cal.4th 570

Policy Adopted: July 13, 2021
Policy Revised: October 25, 2022

Administrative Regulation - Administering Medication and Monitoring Health Conditions
Administrative Regulation - Specialized Health Care Services