HCR 176: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ADOPT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES REGARDING THE STORAGE AND ADMINISTRATION OF ORAL ANTIHISTAMINES IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ADOPT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES REGARDING THE STORAGE AND ADMINISTRATION OF ORAL ANTIHISTAMINES IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

     WHEREAS, student health and safety are of paramount importance in Hawaii's public schools; and

     WHEREAS, this body recognizes that many students enrolled in public schools have documented allergies that may result in mild to severe allergic reactions during the school day; and

     WHEREAS, while state policies clearly address the storage and administration of epinephrine for emergency allergy response, ambiguity remains regarding the authority of schools and school personnel to store and administer oral antihistamines as part of a physician-directed allergy response protocol; and

     WHEREAS, timely access to oral antihistamines, when prescribed or otherwise approved by a licensed physician or authorized health care provider, may prevent escalation of allergic reactions and promote student well-being; and

     WHEREAS, clear procedures, appropriate training, and written parental or guardian consent are necessary to ensure the safe and effective administration of such medications in school settings; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Education is requested to adopt policies and procedures regarding the storage and administration of oral antihistamines in public schools; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, in adopting the policies and procedures, the Department of Education is requested to:

     (1)  Clarify and, as necessary, update policies to expressly authorize public schools to store and administer oral antihistamines in a secure but accessible location consistent with emergency response best practices;

     (2)  Establish procedures allowing trained school personnel to administer oral antihistamines to students who:

          (A)  Have a current, individualized, physician-directed allergy response protocol that explicitly authorizes the use of oral antihistamines on file developed by a licensed physician or authorized health care provider; and

          (B)  Have written consent from a parent or guardian for storage and administration of the medication;

     (3)  Ensure that personnel assigned to administer oral antihistamines complete appropriate training that includes:

          (A)  Recognizing the signs and symptoms of allergic reactions;

          (B)  Proper administration of oral antihistamines;

          (C)  Emergency procedures, including when to activate emergency medical services; and

          (D)  Documentation requirements; and

     (4)  Develop standardized forms for parental consent and allergy response protocols to promote consistency across schools statewide; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to report to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2027 on actions taken to adopt policies and procedures regarding the storage and administration of oral antihistamines in public schools, including any findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Education and Superintendent of Education.

Report Title: 

Department of Education; Oral Antihistamines; Public Schools

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

requesting the department of education to adopt policies and procedures regarding the storage and ADMINISTRATION of oral antihistamines in public schools.

     WHEREAS, student health and safety are of paramount importance in Hawaii's public schools; and

     WHEREAS, this body recognizes that many students enrolled in public schools have documented allergies that may result in mild to severe allergic reactions during the school day; and

     WHEREAS, while state policies clearly address the storage and administration of epinephrine for emergency allergy response, ambiguity remains regarding the authority of schools and school personnel to store and administer oral antihistamines as part of a physician-directed allergy response protocol; and

     WHEREAS, timely access to oral antihistamines, when prescribed or otherwise approved by a licensed physician or authorized health care provider, may prevent escalation of allergic reactions and promote student well-being; and

     WHEREAS, clear procedures, appropriate training, and written parental or guardian consent are necessary to ensure the safe and effective administration of such medications in school settings; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Education is requested to adopt policies and procedures regarding the storage and administration of oral antihistamines in public schools; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, in adopting the policies and procedures, the Department of Education is requested to:

     (1)  Clarify and, as necessary, update policies to expressly authorize public schools to store and administer oral antihistamines in a secure but accessible location consistent with emergency response best practices;

     (2)  Establish procedures allowing trained school personnel to administer oral antihistamines to students who:

          (A)  Have a current allergy response protocol on file developed by a licensed physician or authorized health care provider; and

          (B)  Have written consent from a parent or guardian for storage and administration of the medication;

     (3)  Ensure that personnel assigned to administer oral antihistamines complete appropriate training that includes:

          (A)  Recognizing the signs and symptoms of allergic reactions;

          (B)  Proper administration of oral antihistamines;

          (C)  Emergency procedures, including when to activate emergency medical services; and

          (D)  Documentation requirements; and

     (4)  Develop standardized forms for parental consent and allergy response protocols to promote consistency across schools statewide; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to report to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2027 on actions taken to adopt policies and procedures regarding the storage and administration of oral antihistamines in public schools, including any findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Education and Superintendent of Education.

Report Title: 

Department of Education; Oral Antihistamines; Public Schools