SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 315

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JANUARY 30, 2025

     The Senate Education Committee favorably reports Senate Bill No. 315.

     This bill permits school bus drivers to administer epinephrine to students in certain emergency circumstances. The bill requires the policy of a board of education or a nonpublic school for the emergency administration of epinephrine to a student to permit a school bus driver to administer epinephrine to a student when the following conditions are met:

(1) the student’s parent or guardian has provided written authorization for a school bus driver to administer epinephrine to the student in an emergency;

(2)  the student’s parent or guardian has provided to the board of education or chief school administrator of a nonpublic school written orders from a physician or advanced practice nurse that the student requires the administration of epinephrine for anaphylaxis;

(3) the board or chief school administrator of a nonpublic school informs the student’s parents or guardians in writing that the district and its employees or agents or the nonpublic school and its employees or agents, the school bus driver, and school bus contractor have no liability as a result of any injury arising from the administration of the epinephrine via a pre-filled auto-injector mechanism;

(4)  the student’s parents or guardians sign a statement acknowledging their understanding that the district or the nonpublic school, the school bus driver, and school bus contractor have no liability as a result of any injury arising from the administration of the epinephrine via a pre-filled auto-injector mechanism to the student and that the parents or guardians are to indemnify and hold harmless the district and its employees or agents or the nonpublic school and its employees or agents, the school bus driver, and school bus contractor against any claims arising out of the administration of the epinephrine via a pre-filled auto-injector mechanism; and

(5)  the school bus driver has been properly trained in the administration of epinephrine via a pre-filled auto-injector mechanism using standardized training protocols established pursuant to current law. The training is to be conducted by an entity or individual approved by the Department of Health.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2024-2025 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.