Expanding access to albuterol in public and private schools.
SB 5951 allows public and private schools in Washington to maintain a stock supply of albuterol (a medication for breathing difficulties) starting in the 2027-28 school year, requiring a health professional's prescription and a standing order. School nurses or trained staff can administer it during school activities, including field trips, following existing asthma management protocols - without changing how schools handle students who already have personal albuterol prescriptions. The bill includes liability protections for schools and staff who follow the established procedures. It applies to all schools, including charter and tribal schools, and aligns with current state policies for managing student respiratory symptoms.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Dec 29, 2025
Last action Feb 26, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Bill
→
Substitute Bill
·
4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to remove references to RCW 43.70.827, which previously allowed the health secretary to issue statewide standing orders for epinephrine and albuterol. The changes also update the liability protections for school staff and clarify that the new albuterol supply section applies to charter and state-tribal schools. These modifications streamline the legal framework by removing the specific epinephrine standing order authority and broadening the scope of the new albuterol provisions.
Scope change
The bill now explicitly applies to charter schools and state-tribal education compact schools, whereas the original version did not mention these entities.
REQUIREMENT
Deleted the authority for the health secretary to issue a statewide standing order for epinephrine and albuterol, removing the specific reference to RCW 43.70.827.
Simplified the liability protection language for school staff by removing references to the statewide standing order and limiting protection to prescriptions within a professional's scope of authority.
SCOPE
Added explicit language stating that the new albuterol section applies to charter schools and state-tribal education compact schools to the same extent as public school districts.
DEFINITION
Updated the definition of albuterol administration to clarify that it covers aerosol, powder, or solution forms used in inhalers or nebulizers.
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
7
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Jan 29, 2026
Upper · Passed
Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education at 10:30 AM.
upper
Jan 21, 2026
Upper · Passed
Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education at 10:30 AM.
upper
1 primary · 5 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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