The bill, S.B. No. 1174, amends the Education Code to facilitate the administration of nonprescription medications to students in public and private schools. It expands the scope of individuals authorized to administer medications by including employees of open-enrollment charter schools and private schools, alongside traditional school district employees. The bill introduces a new provision allowing these employees, including nurses, to administer nonprescription medications without requiring further authorization from a healthcare provider, provided that a written request from a parent or guardian is obtained, the medication is unexpired and properly labeled, and the dosage aligns with the instructions on the container.

Additionally, the bill updates the definition of "professional nursing" in the Occupations Code to explicitly include the administration of nonprescription medications to students in accordance with the newly amended Section 22.052. The changes aim to streamline the process for administering medications in schools while ensuring that appropriate safeguards and liability protections are in place for school employees. The provisions of this act will take effect starting with the 2025-2026 school year, with immediate effect possible if it receives the necessary legislative approval.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 22.052, Occupations Code 301.002 (Education Code 22, Occupations Code 301)