SB 5897
In CommitteeSenate
Pulse oximeters in schools
Ensuring the supply of pulse oximeters in public schools.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill requires Washington public schools to provide pulse oximeters, train staff on managing asthma and anaphylaxis emergencies, and allow eligible students to self-administer their emergency medication during school hours, events, and transit. It also sets rules for storing medication and documentation and provides liability protections for emergency responders.
- The superintendent of public instruction and secretary of the department of health must develop a uniform policy for training school staff on asthma and anaphylaxis symptoms, treatment, and monitoring—including use of pulse oximeters.
- All school districts must provide an operating pulse oximeter at each school, stored in an easily accessible location for asthma or anaphylaxis emergencies.
- School staff and others using a pulse oximeter in an emergency are protected from civil liability, unless their actions involve gross negligence or willful misconduct.
- Students with asthma or anaphylaxis may be authorized to self-administer their prescribed medication during school hours, school events, and while traveling to/from school—subject to health care provider approval, nurse verification, and parental consent.
- Schools must keep backup medication (if provided by the family) in a location where the student can quickly access it during an emergency.
- Asthma/anaphylaxis treatment plans and related documentation must be kept on file at each student’s school in an easily accessible location.
- Authorization for self-administration is valid only for the same school and school year and must be renewed annually by the parent or guardian.
Who is affected
- Students with asthma or anaphylaxis — Students with asthma or anaphylaxis who are authorized to self-administer their prescribed medication during school hours, school events, or while traveling to/from school.
- School staff (including nurses and teachers) — School nurses, teachers, and other staff who may need to respond to asthma or anaphylaxis emergencies and must be trained on using pulse oximeters and recognizing symptoms.
- Parents and guardians — Parents and guardians of students with asthma or anaphylaxis, who must provide documentation, treatment plans, and backup medication to the school.
- School districts — School districts, which must adopt policies, provide accessible pulse oximeters, and ensure compliance with medication authorization and storage requirements.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (5)
Students with asthma or anaphylaxis gain the legal right to self-administer life-saving medication during school hours, events, and transit—dramatically reducing response time during emergencies and empowering student autonomy in health management.
HealthcarePeopleRef: Sec. 1(3)Mandating pulse oximeters and uniform staff training improves early recognition of respiratory distress and anaphylaxis, enabling faster, more consistent emergency response across all Washington schools—especially critical in rural or understaffed districts.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1(2)Requiring backup medication to be stored in accessible locations ensures that even if a student forgets or loses their personal device (e.g., inhaler, EpiPen), emergency care is still immediately available—reducing preventable hospitalizations.
HealthcarePeopleRef: Sec. 1(6)Civil liability immunity for pulse oximeter use in emergencies (except gross negligence) encourages more staff to respond without fear of personal legal exposure, improving the likelihood of timely intervention.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1(2)Mandating accessible treatment plans and documentation at each school ensures first responders can quickly access critical medical information during emergencies—reducing delays and mismanagement of care.
HealthcarePeopleRef: Sec. 1(7)
Potential Concerns (5)
The bill mandates pulse oximeter provision and staff training, but does not allocate state funding for these requirements, shifting costs to local school districts and potentially diverting resources from other critical health or safety infrastructure.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1(2)The requirement for parents to submit documentation—including treatment plans and liability forms—places administrative and potential financial burden on families, especially those without easy access to healthcare providers or legal assistance.
HealthcarePeopleRef: Sec. 1(3)(d)Requiring students to demonstrate skill proficiency to a health practitioner *and* a school nurse may create barriers for students with disabilities, language barriers, or those in under-resourced districts lacking nursing staff.
EducationLean peopleRef: Sec. 1(3)(b)Annual renewal of self-administration authorization creates recurring administrative burden for families and schools, increasing the risk of lapses in coverage during transitions (e.g., summer, grade changes).
HealthcareLean peopleRef: Sec. 1(5)(b)The liability immunity provision protects volunteers and staff acting in emergencies, but the exclusion for gross negligence or willful misconduct may still expose districts to litigation risk in borderline cases, increasing legal exposure and insurance costs.
Local GovernmentRef: Sec. 1(2)
Who Is Most Affected
Students with asthma or anaphylaxis benefit significantly—especially those with severe or unpredictable symptoms—by gaining immediate access to medication and reducing reliance on adult responders during attacks. This directly improves health outcomes and school inclusion.
School nurses benefit from reduced caseload pressure during emergencies, but may face increased administrative work (e.g., verifying self-administration authorizations). Teachers and unlicensed staff gain confidence through training, but may feel added responsibility without additional compensation.
Parents of students with asthma/anaphylaxis gain peace of mind and greater school autonomy for their children, but must invest time and money in documentation, provider visits, and backup medication. Low-income families may struggle with these requirements.
School districts face new operational and training costs, especially in districts without existing nursing or health infrastructure. However, reduced emergency response delays and liability exposure may offset some long-term costs.
Families with moderate-to-high incomes who can afford backup medication, provider visits, and documentation are better positioned to benefit. Low-income families and those in rural areas with limited healthcare access may face de facto exclusion despite the policy intent.