SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 590

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: FEBRUARY 15, 1996

      The Senate Education Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 590.

      This bill amends the statute which authorizes a board of education to permit the self-administration of medication by a pupil for asthma or other potentially life-threatening illnesses under certain conditions to include authorization for a governing board or chief school administrator of a nonpublic school to permit the self-administration of medication by a pupil under the same conditions. The conditions include provisions that the parents or guardians file their written authorization and submit written certification from the pupil's physician confirming the illness and the capability of the pupil for self-administration; the nonpublic school informs the parents or guardians that it shall incur no liability arising from the self-medication; and the parents or guardians sign a statement that the school shall incur no liability as a result of the self-medication.

      Permission for the administration of medication would be effective for the school year for which it was granted and must be renewed for each subsequent school year.