Section 16-30A-3.1 - Training of school employees on adrenal insufficiency(a) For the purposes of this section, the term "adrenal insufficiency" means a hormonal disorder that occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough hormones.(b) No later than the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year, the State Board of Education, in consultation with the Alabama Board of Nursing, shall develop guidelines for the training of school employees in the necessary care for students with medical needs related to an adrenal insufficiency according to the student's Individual Health Plan. The medical authorizations earned from the training shall be limited to permitting the administration of injectable medications specific to the adrenal insufficiency of the student. The guidelines shall be developed in consideration of the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics and other appropriate published medical guidelines relating to adrenal insufficiency, as approved by the State Board of Education and the Board of Nursing. Each local board of education shall ensure that adrenal insufficiency training programs are provided for all school nurses and unlicensed medication assistants at schools under its jurisdiction.(c)(1) The lead nurse of a school system, in consultation with the local superintendent of education, may recommend that school nurses be placed at particular schools based on the Individual Health Plans of students with adrenal insufficiency and the overall health needs of students.(2) Each local board of education shall ensure that each student in the school system with an adrenal insufficiency receives appropriate care as specified in his or her Individual Health Plan.(d) No school employee shall be required to serve as an unlicensed medication assistant or be subject to any penalty or disciplinary action for refusing to serve as an unlicensed medication assistant. The decision of a school employee to serve or not to serve as an unlicensed medication assistant may not be considered in any employment decision including, but not limited to, termination, non-renewal of contract, reduction-in-force, or transfer. No school administrator or supervisor shall threaten, harass, or otherwise coerce a school employee into serving as an unlicensed medication assistant.(e) The parent or guardian of each student who is identified as having an adrenal insufficiency shall submit an order to be considered in the development of the student's Individual Health Plan pursuant to Section 16-30A-4.(f) A private K-12 school may provide training for employees and care for students who have an adrenal insufficiency in accordance with this chapter.Ala. Code § 16-30A-3.1 (1975)
Added by Act 2023-75,§ 1, eff. 5/1/2023.