Advocacy

Minnesota

Overall, meets 15 of 23 core policy standards and seven of 13 extra credit indicators. Below are the standards that Minnesota meets.

The 2019 State Honor Roll of Asthma and Allergy Policies for Schools ranks the states with the best public policies for people with asthma, food allergies, anaphylaxis and related allergic diseases in U.S. elementary, middle and high schools.

Closed
Medication and Treatment Policies

Meets five of 12 core policy standards in this category:

1. State requires physician’s written instructions to be on file to dispense prescription medication to students.x
2. State policy ensures students’ right to self-carry and self-administer prescribed asthma medication.checkmark
3. State policy ensures students’ right to self-carry and self-administer prescribed anaphylaxis medication.checkmark
4. State policies or procedures shield school personnel from liability for unintended injuries.x
5. State requires local school districts to create asthma and anaphylaxis medication policy and provides resources, guidelines and parameters.checkmark
6. State policy mandates schools to identify and maintain records for students with chronic conditions including asthma and anaphylaxis.checkmark
7. State requires a procedure updating health records periodically.checkmark
8. State requires that schools maintain asthma/allergy incident reports for reactions, attacks and medications administered.x
9. State requires a student health history form that includes asthma/allergy information to be maintained for each student.x
10. State requires schools to have emergency protocols for asthma.x
11. State requires schools to have emergency protocols for anaphylaxis.x
12. Nurse-to-student ratio is 1:750 or better.x

Meets three of six extra credit indicators in this category:

A. State requires anaphylaxis medicine – epinephrine – stocking and authority to administer in schools.x
B. State allows and/or requires asthma quick-relief medicine – albuterol – stocking and authority to administer in schools.x
C. State has or is preparing an explicit asthma program with policies, procedures and resources for schools to manage students with asthma.checkmark
D. State has or is preparing an explicit anaphylaxis program with policies, procedures and resources for schools to manage students with allergies.checkmark
E. State has adopted policy that each school will have one full-time nurse.x
F. State has adopted policy that school districts provide case management for students with chronic health conditions such as asthma.checkmark
Awareness Policies

Meets both core policy standards in this category:

13. State recognizes problem of asthma in schools and has begun to address it.checkmark
14. State recognizes problem of allergy in schools and has begun to address it.checkmark

Meets both extra credit indicators in this category:

G. State sponsors or provides funding for staff training in asthma awareness covering school asthma program/policy and procedures.checkmark
H. State sponsors or provides funding for staff training in food allergies.checkmark
School Environment Policies

Meets eight of nine core policy standards in this category:

15. State has mandated that all schools must have indoor air quality (IAQ) management policies.checkmark
16. State has adopted a policy requiring that districts and schools conduct periodic inspections of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system & other items important in asthma/allergy management.checkmark
17. State has IAQ policies that include specific components important in asthma/allergy management (HVAC, HEPA, carpeting, pesticide use).checkmark
18. State recommends/requires that districts or schools use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques OR ban use of pesticides inside school.checkmark
19. State requires schools to notify parents of upcoming pesticide applications.checkmark
20. State limits school bus idling time and establishes proximity restrictions.checkmark
21. All smoking is prohibited in school buildings and on school grounds.checkmark
22. All smoking is prohibited on school buses and at school-related functions.checkmark
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Meets two of five extra credit indicators in this category:

I. State makes funding or resources available for technical IAQ assistance to schools.checkmark
J. State recommends standards and programs to promote environmentally preferable materials for school construction, maintenance and cleaning.x
K. State requires school facility design standards that include low emission construction materials, pollutant source controls, durable and easy to clean surfaces and floors, moisture/mold controls.x
L. State has implemented or actively promotes diesel school bus engine retrofitting program.checkmark
M. State requires districts or schools to provide tobacco-use-cessation services to students.x
Policy Gaps
Identification and Reporting; Emergency Management; Nurse-to-Student Ratio
Noteworthy
Epinephrine in Schools: A 2013 law amends a Model Policy for Minnesota schools to clarify use of epinephrine in emergencies. The new law requires public schools to allow students to self-possess and self-carry the devices unless a medical professional determines that the student is unable to do so; allows schools enter into arrangements with manufacturers of epinephrine auto-injectors to obtain epinephrine auto-injectors at fair-market, free, or reduced price; and the education commissioner may develop a policy including training recommendations. Non-public schools are not subject to the requirements but are encouraged to comply. H.F. 630 including Possession and Use of Epinephrine Auto-Injectors Model Policy

Pesticide Notification: Minnesota enacted the Parents’ Right-to-Know Act, which requires schools to notify parents and employees at the beginning of the school year if certain toxic pesticides are planned to be applied during the year. Parents must also be notified that a schedule of planned applications is available for review and copying in the school offices. Parents may request advance notice of any changes to the schedule. Schools are not required to adopt an integrated pest management plan, but if they opt to do so, the plan must fulfill certain criteria that are detailed in the Act. Parents’ Right-To-Know Act