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 this website:

• 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.
  MS Word Version | PDF Version
• 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.
    MS Word Version | PDF Version
  
  
  
  • The second form, provided by the St. Paul Public Schools, is specific to asthma and includes a plan to be signed by the student.
    MS Word Version | PDF Version
• A parent/guardian asthma questionnaire developed by the Healthy Learners Asthma Initiative/Minneapolis Public Schools.
  MS Word Version | PDF Version
• A guide for schools nurses to conduct an assessment of a student's knowledge and skill to safely possess and use an inhaler.
  MS Word Version | PDF Version
• The NHLBI questionnaire How Asthma Friendly is Your School that can be used to assist how well your school assists children with asthma.
  PDF Version
• Sample article for placement in school and community publications.
  MS Word Version | PDF Version

Power Point Presentation Summary of the Minnesota Asthma Inhaler Law