85R10043 DMS-D     By: Lucio S.B. No. 1684       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the possession and administration of an epinephrine   auto-injector by certain entities.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  The heading to Section 773.014, Health and   Safety Code, is amended to read as follows:          Sec. 773.014.  ADMINISTRATION OF EPINEPHRINE BY EMERGENCY   MEDICAL SERVICES PERSONNEL.          SECTION 2.  Subchapter A, Chapter 773, Health and Safety   Code, is amended by adding Section 773.0145 to read as follows:          Sec. 773.0145.  POSSESSION AND ADMINISTRATION OF   EPINEPHRINE BY CERTAIN ENTITIES. (a) This section applies to:                (1)  an amusement park, as defined by Section 46.035,   Penal Code;                (2)  a child-care facility, as defined by Section   42.002, Human Resources Code;                (3)  a day camp or youth camp, as defined by Section   141.002;                (4)  an institution of higher education or private or   independent institution of higher education, as defined by Section   61.003, Education Code;                (5)  a restaurant, as defined by Section 17.821,   Business & Commerce Code;                (6)  a sports venue, as defined by Section 504.151,   Local Government Code;                (7)  a youth center, as defined by Section 481.134; or                (8)  any other entity that the executive commissioner   by rule designates as an entity that would benefit from the   possession and administration of epinephrine auto-injectors.          (b)  An entity described by Subsection (a) may adopt a policy   regarding the maintenance, administration, and disposal of   epinephrine auto-injectors.          (c)  A policy adopted under Subsection (b) must provide that   only an entity employee or volunteer who is authorized and trained   may administer an epinephrine auto-injector to a person who is   reasonably believed to be experiencing anaphylaxis on the premises   of the entity.          (d)  The executive commissioner shall adopt rules regarding   the maintenance, administration, and disposal of an epinephrine   auto-injector by an entity subject to a policy adopted under   Subsection (b).  The rules must establish:                (1)  the number of epinephrine auto-injectors   available at each entity;                (2)  the process for each entity to verify the   inventory of epinephrine auto-injectors at regular intervals for   expiration and replacement; and                (3)  the amount of training required for an entity   employee or volunteer to administer an epinephrine auto-injector.          (e)  Each entity that adopts a policy under Subsection (b)   must have at least one entity employee or volunteer authorized and   trained to administer an epinephrine auto-injector present during   all hours the entity is open to the public or to the population that   the entity serves, as applicable.          (f)  The supply of epinephrine auto-injectors at each entity   must be stored in a secure location and be easily accessible to an   entity employee or volunteer authorized and trained to administer   an epinephrine auto-injector.          (g)  Each entity that adopts a policy under Subsection (b) is   responsible for training the entity's employees and volunteers in   the administration of an epinephrine auto-injector.          (h)  Employee and volunteer training under this section   must:                (1)  include information on:                      (A)  recognizing the signs and symptoms of   anaphylaxis;                      (B)  administering an epinephrine auto-injector;                      (C)  implementing emergency procedures, if   necessary, after administering an epinephrine auto-injector; and                      (D)  properly disposing of used or expired   epinephrine auto-injectors; and                (2)  be completed annually in a formal training session   or through online education.          (i)  Each entity shall maintain records on the training   completed by each employee and volunteer under this section.          (j)  A physician or person who has been delegated   prescriptive authority under Chapter 157, Occupations Code, may   prescribe epinephrine auto-injectors in the name of an entity.          (k)  A physician or other person who prescribes epinephrine   auto-injectors under Subsection (j) shall provide the entity with a   standing order for the administration of an epinephrine   auto-injector to a person reasonably believed to be experiencing   anaphylaxis.          (l)  The standing order under Subsection (k) is not required   to be patient-specific, and the epinephrine auto-injector may be   administered to a person without a previously established   physician-patient relationship.          (m)  Notwithstanding any other 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.          (n)  An order issued under this section must contain:                (1)  the name and signature of the prescriber;                (2)  the name of the entity to which the order is   issued;                (3)  the quantity of epinephrine auto-injectors to be   obtained and maintained under the order; and                (4)  the date of issue.          (o)  A pharmacist may dispense an epinephrine auto-injector   to an entity without requiring the name or any other identifying   information relating to the user.          (p)  A person who in good faith takes, or fails to take, any   action under this section is immune from civil or criminal   liability or disciplinary action resulting from that action or   failure to act, including:                (1)  issuing an order for epinephrine auto-injectors;                (2)  supervising or delegating the administration of an   epinephrine auto-injector;                (3)  possessing, maintaining, storing, or disposing of   an epinephrine auto-injector;                (4)  prescribing an epinephrine auto-injector;                (5)  dispensing an epinephrine auto-injector;                (6)  administering, or assisting in administering, an   epinephrine auto-injector;                (7)  providing, or assisting in providing, training,   consultation, or advice in the development, adoption, or   implementation of policies, guidelines, rules, or plans; or                (8)  undertaking any other act permitted or required   under this section.          (q)  The immunities and protections provided by this section   are in addition to other immunities or limitations of liability   provided by law.          (r)  Notwithstanding any other law, this section does not   create a civil, criminal, or administrative cause of action or   liability or create a standard of care, obligation, or duty that   provides a basis for a cause of action for an act or omission under   this section.          (s)  A cause of action does not arise from an act or omission   described by this section.          (t)  An entity and entity employees or volunteers are immune   from suit resulting from an act, or failure to act, under this   section, including an act or failure to act under related policies   and procedures.          (u)  An act or failure to act by entity employees or   volunteers under this section, including an act or failure to act   under related policies and procedures, is the exercise of judgment   or discretion on the part of the entity employee or volunteer and is   not considered to be a ministerial act for purposes of liability of   the entity.           SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.