Certain physicians, delegated prescribers, and pharmacists may work with school districts and schools to prescribe or dispense epinephrine or respiratory-distress medication under standing-order rules.
Sec. 38.211. PRESCRIPTION OF EPINEPHRINE DELIVERY SYSTEMS AND MEDICATION FOR RESPIRATORY DISTRESS. (a) A physician or person who has been delegated prescriptive authority under Chapter 157, Occupations Code, may prescribe epinephrine delivery systems or medication for respiratory distress in the name of a school district, open-enrollment charter school, or private school. (b) A physician or other person who prescribes epinephrine delivery systems or medication for respiratory distress under Subsection (a) shall provide the school district, open-enrollment charter school, or private school with a standing order for the administration of, as applicable: (1) an epinephrine delivery system to a person reasonably believed to be experiencing anaphylaxis; or (2) medication for respiratory distress to a person reasonably believed to be experiencing respiratory distress. (c) The standing order under Subsection (b) is not required to be patient-specific, and the epinephrine delivery system or medication for respiratory distress may be administered to a person without a previously established physician-patient relationship. (d) Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, supervision or delegation by a physician is considered adequate if the physician: (1) periodically reviews the order; and (2) is available through direct telecommunication as needed for consultation, assistance, and direction. (e) An order issued under this section must contain: (1) the name and signature of the prescribing physician or other person; (2) the name of the school district, open-enrollment charter school, or private school to which the order is issued; (3) as applicable, the quantity and types of epinephrine delivery systems or the quantity and types of medications for respiratory distress to be obtained and maintained under the order; and (4) the date of issue. (f) A pharmacist may dispense an epinephrine delivery system or medication for respiratory distress to a school district, open-enrollment charter school, or private school without requiring the name or any other identifying information relating to the user. Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 180 (S.B. 66), Sec. 2, eff. May 28, 2015. Amended by: Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 61 (S.B. 579), Sec. 6, eff. May 22, 2017. Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 192 (H.B. 2243), Sec. 5, eff. May 24, 2019. Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 194 (S.B. 294), Sec. 10, eff. May 24, 2023. Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 67 (S.B. 1619), Sec. 10, eff. May 19, 2025. Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 67 (S.B. 1619), Sec. 11, eff. May 19, 2025.