Informational Letter #136, Rule for Medication Administration in Maine Schools

INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO: 136

POLICY CODE: JLCD

TO: Superintendents, Principals, School Nurses

FROM: Susan A. Gendron, Commissioner

DATE: June 2, 2005

SUBJECT: Rule for Medication Administration in Maine Schools

The Department of Education Rule for Medication Administration in Maine Schools has been passed by the Maine State Legislature as an emergency bill and has been filed with the Secretary of State’s Office. The Rule can be found in Chapter 40 of the Department’s Rules at http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/rules/05/chaps05.htm.

This rule provides direction in the administration of medication to students and assists schools in developing policies and procedures to assure best practice when managing medications in schools.

The rule requires that school districts have a policy that requires:

training for unlicensed school personnel to administer medication,
parental/guardian permission for medications given,
a medical order for any medication administered at school,
medication to be delivered in its original container, and
schools to allow students to carry emergency medication (asthma inhaler and epinephrine auto injector) under certain circumstances.

The rule requires that schools have procedures or protocols for medications, if not in policy, for:

transporting medications,
field trips,
accountability,
storage,
training of staff,
emergencies,
documentation including errors, and
disposal when not retrieved by parents.

Any questions regarding this rule can be directed to DeEtte Hall, School Nurse Consultant, Department of Education at 624-6688 or deette.hall@maine.gov.