BILL ANALYSIS AB 1937 Page 1 ASSEMBLY THIRD READING AB 1937 (Fletcher) As Amended April 28, 2010 Majority vote BUSINESS & PROFESSIONS 11-0 ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Ayes:|Hayashi, Emmerson, | | | | |Conway, Eng, Hernandez, | | | | |Hill, Ma, Nava, Niello, | | | | |Ruskin, Smyth | | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY : Expands the individuals who are authorized to administer school immunizations, as specified. Specifically, this bill : 1)Authorizes the governing board (board) of a school district to allow the following individuals, acting under the direction of a supervising physician and surgeon (SPS), to administer certain immunizations to a pupil whose parent or guardian has consented in writing: a) A physician assistant (PA); b) A nurse practitioner (NP); c) A registered nurse (RN); d) A licensed nurse (LN); or, e) A student nurse (SN) acting under the supervision of a registered nurse as authorized under current law. 2)Permits the authorized individuals to perform immunizations as part of a school immunization program if: a) The administration of an immunizing agent is upon the standing orders of a SPS and in accordance with any written regulations adopted by the State Department of Public Health; and, b) The school nurse is notified and he or she maintains AB 1937 Page 2 control, as specified. 3)Requires the SPS to require the PA, NP, RN, LN, or SN to: a) Satisfactorily demonstrate competence in the administration of the immunizing agent, including knowledge of all indications and contraindications for the administration of the agent, and the recognition and treatment of emergency reactions to the agent that constitute a danger to the health or life of the person receiving the immunization; and, b) Possess the medications and equipment that are required, in the medical judgment of the SPS, to treat any emergency conditions or reactions caused by the immunizing agents that constitute a danger to the health or life of the person receiving the immunization, and to demonstrate the ability to administer the medications and use the equipment as necessary. 4)Authorizes the PA, NP, RN, LN, or SN to administer, as specified, an immunization agent that controls the following: a) Annual seasonal influenza; b) Influenza pandemic episodes; and, c) Other diseases that represent a current or potential outbreak, as declared by a local, state, or federal public health officer. 5)Declares legislative intent. 6)Defines "SPS" as the physician and surgeon of the local health department or school district that is directing the school immunization program. FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown. This bill is keyed non-fiscal by the Legislative Counsel. COMMENTS : According to the author's office, "This proposed legislation would allow school districts to 'voluntarily' add additional medical personnel, currently permitted to administer vaccinations, in order to implement a school based immunization AB 1937 Page 3 program. Further, this would supplement the work of a school nurse by permitting more licensed medical personnel to assist with the administering of vaccines during a school based immunization program. As a result, there is the potential for more children to be immunized or allow multiple programs to be held on a single day with increased qualified healthcare staff." Current law requires a board to cooperate with the local health officer to help prevent and control communicable diseases in school age children. California Education Code permits only a licensed physician and surgeon or a licensed RN acting under the direction of a SPS to administer immunizations to pupils. However, California Business and Professions Code authorizes a greater number of individuals to administer vaccinations according to their scopes of practice, in addition to a physician and surgeon and a RN. Under varying circumstances, the following individuals may administer immunizations: physicians and surgeons, NPs, PAs, RNs, LVNs, MAs, pharmacists, and paramedics. This bill would more closely reconcile the two codes relating to health professionals' practice scopes. The California School Immunization Law (CSIL) requires that children receive a series of immunizations before entry to schools, child care centers, or family child care homes. In addition, CSIL requires schools, child care centers, and family child care homes to enforce immunization requirements, to maintain immunization records of all children enrolled, and to submit reports to the health department. Analysis Prepared by : Sarah Weaver / B., P. & C. P. / (916) 319-3301 FN: 0004142