Bill Text - HB677 (2025)

(Second New Title) relative to the possession and use of epinephrine at recreation camps, schools, and institutions of higher education.

Revision: May 14, 2025, 2:31 p.m.

HB 677-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE

 

10Apr2025... 0589h

2025 SESSION

25-0554

02/08

 

HOUSE BILL 677-FN

 

AN ACT requiring schools to maintain a supply of EpiPen injectors and epinephrine nasal spray for use in event of an emergency.

 

SPONSORS: Rep. Drago, Rock. 4; Rep. Kuttab, Rock. 17; Rep. Nelson, Rock. 13; Rep. Soti, Rock. 35; Rep. Turer, Rock. 6; Rep. Layon, Rock. 13; Sen. Birdsell, Dist 19

 

COMMITTEE: Education Policy and Administration

 

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AMENDED ANALYSIS

 

This bill requires public schools to maintain supplies of epinephrine auto-injectors and/or epinephrine nasal spray for use in the event of an allergic emergency, requires annual reporting summarizing such supply and use, requires at least one assistive personnel to be available as many hours of the school day are covered, and provides an appropriation to the department of education for reimbursement of such supplies.

 

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

10Apr2025... 0589h 25-0554

02/08

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Five

 

AN ACT requiring schools to maintain a supply of EpiPen injectors and epinephrine nasal spray for use in event of an emergency.

 

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 

1  Supply of Epinephrine Auto-Injectors.  RSA 200:44-b, I-II is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:

I. A school district shall adopt a policy to maintain a supply of epinephrine auto-injectors and/or epinephrine nasal spray for use in an allergic emergency when a nurse is employed or contracted by the district. The nurse shall determine the quantity and type of medication the school shall maintain.

II. To obtain life-saving allergy medication for a school district, a health care practitioner may prescribe epinephrine auto-injectors and/or epinephrine nasal spray in the name of a school district for use in life-saving allergy emergency situations. If an epinephrine auto-injector and/or epinephrine nasal spray is used pursuant to this subdivision, the school nurse shall order a replacement within 5 business days.

2  Supply of Epinephrine Auto-Injectors/Epinephrine Nasal Spray; Reporting.  RSA 200:44-b, V is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:

V.  Schools shall submit an annual report to the department of education summarizing the supply and use of epinephrine auto-injectors and/or epinephrine nasal spray pursuant to this subdivision.

3  New Subparagraph; Anaphylaxis Training Required.  Amend RSA 200:44-a, I by inserting after subparagraph (b) the following new subparagraph:

(c)  Designated assistive personnel shall be identified by the school nurse, in consultation with the principal, to ensure as many hours as possible of the school day are covered by at least one assistive person.

4  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2025.

 

LBA

25-0554

5/14/25

 

HB 677-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE (AMENDMENT #2025-0589h)

 

AN ACT requiring schools to maintain a supply of EpiPen injectors and epinephrine nasal spray for use in event of an emergency.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:   This bill does not provide funding.

 

Estimated Political Subdivision Impact

 

FY 2025

FY 2026

FY 2027

FY 2028

Local Revenue

$0

$0

$0

$0

Local Expenditures

$0

$100,000 to $500,000

$100,000 to $500,000

$100,000 to $500,000

 

METHODOLOGY:

This bill requires public schools to maintain supplies of epinephrine auto-injectors and/or epinephrine nasal spray for use in the event of an allergic emergency, requires annual reporting summarizing such supply and use, and requires designated assistive personnel to be identified to ensure as many hours as possible of the school day are covered.

 

The Department of Education states the fiscal impact on school districts is indeterminable, but provided the following information on the possible cost to school districts:

 

  • The quantity of epinephrine auto-injectors and/or epinephrine nasal sprays that would  be acquired and maintained by a school district would be at the discretion of school nurses at each school.  If public schools maintained one 2-pack supply of epinephrine auto-injectors and/or epinephrine nasal spray, the Department estimates that the local fiscal impact of this bill would be in the range of  $100,000 – $500,000 per year.

 

  • The average cost of a 2-pack epinephrine auto-injector or nasal spray is $750 without insurance or manufacturer's discount (if available).  There are 453 public schools in NH. If each school purchased a 2-pack the local cost would be $339,750. (453 X $750 =$339,750)

 

  • The required anaphylaxis training needs for each school are unknown.  The Department estimates the cost of required anaphylaxis training per person per year would be $150.  If two assistive personnel were trained in each school the cost would be $139,900.

 

The Department notes under current statute, school boards may authorize this practice, but are not required to do so.  Only schools opting to maintain a supply of epinephrine auto-injectors and/or epinephrine nasal sprays are required to report annually to the Department.

 

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Department of Education