REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ADOPT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES REGARDING THE STORAGE AND ADMINISTRATION OF ORAL ANTIHISTAMINES IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

HCR176

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

176

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

requesting the department of education to adopt policies
and procedures regarding the storage and ADMINISTRATION of oral antihistamines
in public schools
.

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WHEREAS, student
health and safety are of paramount importance in Hawaii's public schools; and

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WHEREAS, this
body recognizes that many students enrolled in public schools have documented
allergies that may result in mild to severe allergic reactions during the
school day; and

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WHEREAS, while
state policies clearly address the storage and administration of epinephrine
for emergency allergy response, ambiguity remains regarding the authority of
schools and school personnel to store and administer oral antihistamines as
part of a physician-directed allergy response protocol; and

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WHEREAS, timely
access to oral antihistamines, when prescribed or otherwise approved by a
licensed physician or authorized health care provider, may prevent escalation
of allergic reactions and promote student well-being; and

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WHEREAS, clear
procedures, appropriate training, and written parental or guardian consent are
necessary to ensure the safe and effective administration of such medications
in school settings; now, therefore,

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BE IT
RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the
State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, the Senate concurring, that the
Department of Education is requested to adopt policies and procedures regarding
the storage and administration of oral antihistamines in public schools; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that, in adopting the policies and procedures, the Department of
Education is requested to:

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(1)
�
Clarify and, as necessary, update policies to
expressly authorize public schools to store and administer oral antihistamines
in a secure but accessible location consistent with emergency response best
practices;

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(2)
�
Establish procedures allowing trained school
personnel to administer oral antihistamines to students who:

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(A)
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Have a current allergy response protocol on
file developed by a licensed physician or authorized health care provider; and

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(B)
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Have written consent from a parent or guardian
for storage and administration of the medication;

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(3)
�
Ensure that personnel assigned to administer
oral antihistamines complete appropriate training that includes:

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(A)
�
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of allergic
reactions;

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(B)
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Proper administration of oral antihistamines;

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(C)
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Emergency procedures, including when to
activate emergency medical services; and

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(D)
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Documentation requirements; and

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(4)
�
Develop standardized forms for parental
consent and allergy response protocols to promote consistency across schools
statewide; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to report to the
Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular
Session of 2027 on actions taken to adopt policies and procedures regarding the
storage and administration of oral antihistamines in public schools, including
any findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the
Chairperson of the Board of Education and Superintendent of Education.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:
�

Department
of Education; Oral Antihistamines; Public Schools