(A) Notwithstanding section 3313.713 of the Revised Code or any policy adopted under that section, a student of a school operated by a city, local, exempted village, or joint vocational school district or a student of a chartered nonpublic school may possess and use a metered dose inhaler or a dry powder inhaler to alleviate asthmatic symptoms, or before exercise to prevent the onset of asthmatic symptoms, if both of the following conditions are satisfied:

(1) The student has the written approval of the student's physician and, if the student is a minor, the written approval of the parent, guardian, or other person having care or charge of the student. The physician's written approval shall include at least all of the following information:

(a) The student's name and address;

(b) The names and dose of the medication contained in the inhaler;

(c) The date the administration of the medication is to begin;

(d) The date, if known, that the administration of the medication is to cease;

(e) Written instructions that outline procedures school personnel should follow in the event that the asthma medication does not produce the expected relief from the student's asthma attack;

(f) Any severe adverse reactions that may occur to the child using the inhaler and that should be reported to the physician;

(g) Any severe adverse reactions that may occur to another child, for whom the inhaler is not prescribed, should such a child receive a dose of the medication;

(h) At least one emergency telephone number for contacting the physician in an emergency;

(i) At least one emergency telephone number for contacting the parent, guardian, or other person having care or charge of the student in an emergency;

(j) Any other special instructions from the physician.

(2) The school principal and, if a school nurse is assigned to the student's school building, the school nurse has received copies of the written approvals required by division (A)(1) of this section. If these conditions are satisfied, the student may possess and use the inhaler at school or at any activity, event, or program sponsored by or in which the student's school is a participant.

(B)

(1) A school district, member of a school district board of education, or school district employee is not liable in damages in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property allegedly arising from a district employee's prohibiting a student from using an inhaler because of the employee's good faith belief that the conditions of divisions (A)(1) and (2) of this section had not been satisfied. A school district, member of a school district board of education, or school district employee is not liable in damages in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property allegedly arising from a district employee's permitting a student to use an inhaler because of the employee's good faith belief that the conditions of divisions (A)(1) and (2) of this section had been satisfied. Furthermore, when a school district is required by this section to permit a student to possess and use an inhaler because the conditions of divisions (A)(1) and (2) of this section have been satisfied, the school district, any member of the school district board of education, or any school district employee is not liable in damages in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property allegedly arising from the use of the inhaler by a student for whom it was not prescribed. This section does not eliminate, limit, or reduce any other immunity or defense that a school district, member of a school district board of education, or school district employee may be entitled to under Chapter 2744. or any other provision of the Revised Code or under the common law of this state.

(2) A chartered nonpublic school or any officer, director, or employee of the school is not liable in damages in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property allegedly arising from a school employee's prohibiting a student from using an inhaler because of the employee's good faith belief that the conditions of divisions (A)(1) and (2) of this section had not been satisfied. A chartered nonpublic school or any officer, director, or employee of the school is not liable in damages in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property allegedly arising from a school employee's permitting a student to use an inhaler because of the employee's good faith belief that the conditions of divisions (A)(1) and (2) of this section had been satisfied. Furthermore, when a chartered nonpublic school is required by this section to permit a student to possess and use an inhaler because the conditions of divisions (A)(1) and (2) of this section have been satisfied, the chartered nonpublic school or any officer, director, or employee of the school is not liable in damages in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property allegedly arising from the use of the inhaler by a student for whom it was not prescribed.

Effective Date: 11-03-1999.