18A:40-12.24 Development of school policy for emergency administration of opioid antidotes.

2. a. Each board of education, board of trustees of a charter school, and chief school administrator of a nonpublic school shall develop a policy, in accordance with guidelines established by the Department of Education pursuant to section 3 of this act, for the emergency administration of an opioid antidote to a student, staff member, or other person who is experiencing an opioid overdose. The policy shall:

(1) require each school that includes any of the grades nine through 12, and permit any other school, to obtain a standing order for opioid antidotes pursuant to section 4 of the "Overdose Prevention Act," P.L.2013, c.46 (C.24:6J-4), and to maintain a supply of opioid antidotes under the standing order in a secure but unlocked and easily accessible location; and

(2) permit the school nurse, or a trained employee designated pursuant to subsection c. of this section, to administer an opioid antidote to any person whom the nurse or trained employee in good faith believes is experiencing an opioid overdose.

b. (1) Opioid antidotes shall be maintained by a school pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection a. of this section in quantities and types deemed adequate by the board of education, board of trustees of a charter school, or chief school administrator of a nonpublic school, in consultation with the Department of Education and the Department of Human Services.

(2) The opioid antidotes shall be accessible in the school during regular school hours and during school-sponsored functions that take place in the school or on school grounds adjacent to the school building. A board of education, board of trustees of a charter school, or chief school administrator of a nonpublic school may, in its discretion, make opioid antidotes accessible during school-sponsored functions that take place off school grounds.

c. (1) The school nurse shall have the primary responsibility for the emergency administration of an opioid antidote in accordance with a policy developed under this section. The board of education, board of trustees of a charter school, or chief school administrator of a nonpublic school shall designate additional employees of the school district, charter school, or nonpublic school who volunteer to administer an opioid antidote in the event that a person experiences an opioid overdose when the nurse is not physically present at the scene. The designated employees shall only be authorized to administer opioid antidotes after receiving the training required under subsection b. of section 3 of this act.

(2) In the event that a licensed athletic trainer volunteers to administer an opioid antidote pursuant to this act, it shall not constitute a violation of the "Athletic Training Licensure Act," P.L.1984, c.203 (C.45:9-37.35 et seq.).

d. A policy developed pursuant to this section shall require the transportation of an overdose victim to a hospital emergency room by emergency services personnel after the administration of an opioid antidote, even if the person's symptoms appear to have resolved.

L.2018, c.106, s.2.