Minnesota's Asthma Inhaler Law

The Minnesota legislature enacted language during the 2001 session that allows public elementary and secondary school students to possess and use inhalers prescribed for asthma or reactive airway disease. A kit was sent to school nurses and superintendents to help them implement the new law. The following can be downloaded from the American Lung Association of Minnesota's website at www.alamn.org/mn/asthma/inhaler.asp

• A copy of Minnesota Statutes 2001 section 121A.22, Administration of Drugs and Medicine, along with a summary of the law as affected by the inhaler provision.
• A sample letter to parents explaining the law as well as the criteria for allowing the child to carry and self-administer medication. There is suggested language for schools with and without a licensed school nurse
• Two variations of medication authorization and student consent forms. The one developed by the North East School Districts allows a physician and parent to provide information for more than one medication on it; each school district then adds their own medication procedures on the back. The second form, provided by the St. Paul Public Schools, is specific to asthma and includes a plan to be signed by the student.
• A parent/guardian asthma questionnaire developed by the Healthy Learners Asthma Initiative/Minneapolis Public Schools.
• A guide for schools nurses to conduct an assessment of a student's knowledge and skill to safely possess and use an inhaler.
• The NHLBI questionnaire How Asthma Friendly is Your School that can be used to assist how well your school assists children with asthma.
• An Asthma Resource Organization list for Minnesota and the U.S.
• Sample article for placement in school and community publications.
  

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