Senate Bill 1716, also known as House Bill 1550, amends Tennessee law regarding the management of epinephrine in schools. The bill emphasizes that both public and nonpublic schools should be prepared to treat allergic reactions, particularly when a student's personal epinephrine is unavailable. It allows schools to maintain epinephrine supplies in at least two secure locations and permits physicians to prescribe epinephrine in the name of the school. Additionally, trained school personnel are authorized to use the school's epinephrine supply in emergencies, and protections are provided for both prescribing physicians and school staff against liability for injuries resulting from the administration of epinephrine, unless there is intentional disregard for safety.

The bill also modifies existing legal language by replacing "an epinephrine auto-injector" with "epinephrine" in the relevant section of the Tennessee Code Annotated. Furthermore, the effective date of the act has been amended to July 1, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. This legislation aims to enhance the preparedness of schools in responding to anaphylactic reactions, ensuring that students receive timely care while also providing legal protections for those administering the medication.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 49-50-1602(f), 49-50-1602, 68-140-501(1), 68-140-501
Amended with HA0820 -- 04/13/2026: 49-50-1602(f), 49-50-1602, 68-140-501(1), 68-140-501