Albuterol in Schools

AAFA supports school policies that promote access to life-saving medicines to treat students and staff who experience asthma attacks or severe allergic reactions. Since 2012, most states have passed laws that allow or require schools to keep a supply of epinephrine auto-injectors for use in allergy emergencies. States are now beginning to consider laws that will allow schools to keep a supply of emergency asthma medicine, such as albuterol, on hand.

States should implement policies that promote access to medicine and protect students and staff, including supplying schools with albuterol inhalers to be used in emergencies, appropriately training school personnel and addressing liability concerns for those who use this medicine in good faith.

Does Your State Stock Albuterol in Schools?

State Legislation and Guidelines for Stocking Albuterol in Schools

More information about each state’s laws and guidelines:

Federal Legislation Encourages Asthma Management

In May 2019, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Representative Phil Roe (R-TN) introduced the School Based Allergies and Asthma Management Program Act (HR 2468). This legislation would encourage states to improve asthma care in schools by giving preference for federal grants to states that adopt certain asthma management programs and policies. While this proposed legislation does not require states to allow albuterol stocking in schools, it would encourage schools to put into place:

• Methods to identify all students who have allergies or asthma
• Individual student action plans
• School nurses or trained staff on-site during operating hours to give medicines for both asthma and allergies
• Education for school staff
• Efforts to reduce environmental triggers
• Support for families managing asthma and allergies

You can take action to support the School-Based Allergies and Asthma Management Program Act by asking your legislators to co-sponsor and vote to approve this bill.