BILL ANALYSIS
AB 1937
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 1937 (Fletcher)
As Amended April 28, 2010
Majority vote
BUSINESS & PROFESSIONS 11-0
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|Ayes:|Hayashi, Emmerson, | | |
| |Conway, Eng, Hernandez, | | |
| |Hill, Ma, Nava, Niello, | | |
| |Ruskin, Smyth | | |
| | | | |
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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
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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