HB 462 Ohio House · 136th Legislature (2025-2026)

Regards student use of a nasal epinephrine delivery device

HB 462 updates Ohio school health policies to allow schools to stock and administer nasal epinephrine devices for students with severe allergies without requiring a separate prescription for each student. It directly affects students with life-threatening allergies, school nurses, and staff who may need to respond to allergic reactions. The key provision removes the requirement for individual prescriptions per student, enabling schools to maintain a stock of the device for immediate use in emergencies. This change streamlines access to critical treatment during allergic reactions at school. The bill amends existing sections of Ohio's Revised Code governing school health procedures.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Sep 2025
Committee Review
Nov 2025
House Passage
Nov 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
Aug 2026
Introduced Sep 23, 2025 Signed Aug 26, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

As Passed by the Senate As Enrolled · 6 edits · May 27, 2026
MODERATE
This bill expands Ohio's emergency epinephrine laws to explicitly include intranasal sprays and other FDA-approved devices alongside traditional autoinjectors. It broadens the definition of 'prescriber' to include dentists, optometrists, and mental health assistants, allowing a wider range of medical professionals to authorize these treatments. The legislation also updates liability protections to cover new device types and clarifies that schools and camps are exempt from certain wholesale drug distribution licensing requirements when handling these specific emergency medications.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of eligible emergency epinephrine devices from autoinjectors only to include intranasal sprays and other FDA-approved delivery systems. It also extends the definition of who can prescribe these devices to include dentists, optometrists, and certified mental health assistants.
DEFINITION

Changed the definition of 'epinephrine delivery system' to explicitly include intranasal sprays and any device designated by the state board of pharmacy, moving beyond just autoinjectors.

Added definitions for various pharmacy terms such as 'terminal distributor,' 'outsourcing facility,' and 'repackager' to clarify who may legally handle these drugs.

ELIGIBILITY

Expanded the list of 'prescribers' authorized to issue orders for epinephrine delivery systems to include dentists, optometrists, and certified mental health assistants.

REQUIREMENT

Added new requirements for written approval forms to include specific instructions on what to do if the first dose does not work or if the student cannot administer the medication themselves.

Updated procurement rules to allow school districts to accept donations of epinephrine delivery systems from manufacturers and distributors.

SCOPE

Clarified that schools and camps are exempt from general wholesale drug distributor licensing requirements when possessing or distributing epinephrine delivery systems for emergency use.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 15, 2026 · House May 13, 2026

How they voted

330
Passed
Total votes 33
Apr 15, 2026
D Democratic9
9 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican24
24 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
14
Key actions
5
Committee
2
Amendments
1
May 21, 2026
Legislature · Passed
Sent To The Governor
legislature
May 13, 2026
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (90-0)
house
May 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
Concurred in Senate amendments
lower
Apr 15, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Nov 19, 2025
Committee
Referred to committee
upper
Nov 18, 2025
Introduced
Introduced
upper
Nov 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
Oct 1, 2025
Committee
Referred to committee
lower
Sep 23, 2025
Introduced
Introduced
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Tracy Richardson
Tracy Richardson
RRepublican
OH
86