(A) As used in this section, "inhaler" means a device that delivers medication to alleviate asthmatic symptoms, is manufactured in the form of a metered dose inhaler or dry powdered inhaler, and may include a spacer, holding chamber, or other device that attaches to the inhaler and is used to improve the delivery of the medication.

(B) The board of education of each city, local, exempted village, or joint vocational school district may procure inhalers for each school operated by the district to have on the school premises for use in emergency situations identified under division (D)(5) of this section. A district board that elects to procure inhalers under this section is encouraged to maintain, at all times, at least two inhalers at each school operated by the district.

(C) A district board that elects to procure inhalers under this section shall require the district's superintendent to adopt a policy governing their maintenance and use. Before adopting the policy, the superintendent shall consult with a licensed health professional authorized to prescribe drugs, as defined in section 4729.01 of the Revised Code.

(D) A component of a policy adopted by a superintendent under division (C) of this section shall be a prescriber-issued protocol specifying definitive orders for inhalers, including the dosages of medication to be administered through them, the number of times that each inhaler may be used before disposal, and the methods of disposal. The policy also shall do all of the following:

(1) Identify the one or more locations in each school operated by the district in which an inhaler must be stored;

(2) Specify the conditions under which an inhaler must be stored, replaced, and disposed;

(3) Specify the individuals employed by or under contract with the district board, in addition to a school nurse licensed under section 3319.221 of the Revised Code or an athletic trainer licensed under Chapter 4755. of the Revised Code, who may access and use an inhaler to provide a dosage of medication to an individual in an emergency situation identified under division (D) (5) of this section;

(4) Specify any training that employees or contractors specified under division (D)(3) of this section, other than a school nurse or athletic trainer, must complete before being authorized to access and use an inhaler;

(5) Identify the emergency situations, including when an individual exhibits signs and symptoms of asthma, in which a school nurse, athletic trainer, or other employees or contractors specified under division (D)(3) of this section may access and use an inhaler;

(6) Specify that assistance from an emergency medical service provider must be requested immediately after an employee or contractor, other than a school nurse, athletic trainer, or another licensed health professional, uses an inhaler;

(7) Specify the individuals, in addition to students, school employees or contractors, and school visitors, to whom a dosage of medication may be administered through an inhaler in an emergency situation specified under division (D)(5) of this section.

(E) A school or school district, a member of a district board of education, or a district or school employee or contractor is not liable in damages in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property that allegedly arises from an act or omission associated with procuring, maintaining, accessing, or using an inhaler under this section, unless the act or omission constitutes willful or wanton misconduct.

This section does not eliminate, limit, or reduce any other immunity or defense that a school or school district, member of a district board of education, or district or school employee or contractor may be entitled to under Chapter 2744. or any other provision of the Revised Code or under the common law of this state.

(F) A school district board of education may accept donations of inhalers from a wholesale distributor of dangerous drugs or a manufacturer of dangerous drugs, as defined in section 4729.01 of the Revised Code, and may accept donations of money from any person to purchase inhalers.

(G) A district board that elects to procure inhalers under this section shall report to the department of education each procurement and occurrence in which an inhaler is used from a school's supply of inhalers.

Added by 131st General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 39, §1, eff. 2/1/2016.