The bill creates a new statutory authorization (a new section in chapter 28A.210 RCW) allowing school districts, each school, and participating private/charter/tribal compact schools to maintain a supply of albuterol on school property and during field trips beginning in the 2027-28 school year. It allows albuterol to be obtained by donation only if accompanied by a prescription, permits licensed prescribers (including the secretary of health or designee under RCW 43.70.183) to prescribe albuterol in the name of a school and requires such prescriptions to be accompanied by a standing order authorizing administration of undesignated, school-supplied albuterol for respiratory symptoms. The bill sets administration rules: if a student has a prescription on file, a school nurse or designated trained school personnel may administer; if no prescription is on file, only a school nurse may administer. Schools must immediately notify a student’s parent or guardian when albuterol is administered or when the school knows a student self-administered. It defines “albuterol” and “management of albuterol” and allows school nurses or designated trained personnel to carry a reasonable quantity on trips. The bill also amends RCW 28A.210.370 to require the superintendent of public instruction and the secretary of health to develop or update uniform policies and procedures on asthma training and the administration of school/district albuterol by January 1, 2027, and requires school districts to adopt related policies. Legally, it is a mix of a new law and a procedural change: it creates a new authorization and operational framework for school-stocked albuterol, adds written-policy and training requirements, and establishes liability protections—prescribing clinicians and dispensing pharmacists are not liable except for conscious disregard, and school personnel and their districts are not civilly or criminally liable when acting in substantial compliance with prescriptions, standing orders, and written policies. The bill also protects most school employees by allowing them to file a written refusal to manage albuterol without that refusal being grounds for discharge or other adverse employment action (with an exemption for employees licensed under chapter 18.79 RCW). Important implementation details are not included in the provided text: the content of the standing orders or RCW 43.70.183, the definition and training standards for “designated trained school personnel,” what constitutes a “reasonable quantity” for trips, the specific procedures the updated uniform policy must contain, and logistical rules for accepting and managing donated albuterol.

If enacted, beginning in the 2027-28 school year schools (public, private, charter, and state-tribal) may keep albuterol on site and staff may give it to students in breathing emergencies: a nurse or trained staff can give a student’s prescribed inhaler, and only a nurse can give school-supplied albuterol to a student who has no prescription on file. Schools can accept donated albuterol only with a prescription, staff must notify parents whenever albuterol is given or self-administered, and school nurses or designated staff may carry a reasonable amount on field trips. The biggest impacts fall on school districts and their nurses and designated staff, who will need to adopt district policies, follow new state guidance due by January 1, 2027, and likely add training and procedures for storage, access, administration, and documentation; school employees (except certain licensed staff) can refuse in writing to manage albuterol without fear of discipline. Prescribers and pharmacists who supply schools and school personnel who act in substantial compliance with orders and policies gain legal protection from liability. Several implementation details remain unclear from the text provided, including who qualifies as “designated trained personnel,” the exact training required, how much albuterol is a “reasonable quantity” for trips, and logistics for accepting and tracking donated supplies.