Pulse oximeters in schools

AN ACT Relating to pulse oximeters in public schools; and 1
amending RCW 28A.210.370. 2
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:3
Sec. 1. RCW 28A.210.370 and 2005 c 462 s 2 are each amended to 4
read as follows: 5
(1) The superintendent of public instruction and the secretary of 6
the department of health shall develop a uniform policy for all 7
school districts providing for the in-service training for school 8
staff on symptoms, treatment, and monitoring of students with asthma 9
and on the additional observations that may be needed in different 10
situations that may arise during the school day and during school-11
sponsored events. The policy shall include the standards and skills 12
that must be in place for in-service training of school staff.13
(2) All school districts shall adopt policies regarding asthma 14
rescue procedures for each school within the district and ensure that 15
each school within the district is supplied with an operating pulse 16
oximeter that is kept in a location easily accessible in the event of 17
an asthma or anaphylaxis emergency. A person who uses a pulse 18
oximeter at the scene of an emergency and all other persons and 19
entities providing services under this section are immune from civil 20
liability for any personal injury that results from any act or 21
S-3587.1
SENATE BILL 5897
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2026 Regular Session
By Senators Boehnke, Riccelli, Dozier, Nobles, Slatter, and C. Wilson
Prefiled 12/16/25. Read first time 01/12/26. Referred to Committee
on Early Learning & K-12 Education.
p. 1 SB 5897
omission in the use of the pulse oximeter in an emergency setting. 1
The immunity from civil liability does not apply if the acts or 2
omissions amount to gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.3
(3) All school districts must require that each public elementary 4
school and secondary school grant to any student in the school 5
authorization for the self-administration of medication to treat that 6
student's asthma or anaphylaxis, if: 7
(a) A health care practitioner prescribed the medication for use 8
by the student during school hours and instructed the student in the 9
correct and responsible use of the medication; 10
(b) The student has demonstrated to the health care practitioner, 11
or the practitioner's designee, and a professional registered nurse 12
at the school, the skill level necessary to use the medication and 13
any device that is necessary to administer the medication as 14
prescribed; 15
(c) The health care practitioner formulates a written treatment 16
plan for managing asthma or anaphylaxis episodes of the student and 17
for medication use by the student during school hours; and18
(d) The student's parent or guardian has completed and submitted 19
to the school any written documentation required by the school, 20
including the treatment plan formulated under (c) of this subsection 21
and other documents related to liability. 22
(4) An authorization granted under subsection (3) of this section 23
must allow the student involved to possess and use his or her 24
medication: 25
(a) While in school; 26
(b) While at a school-sponsored activity, such as a sporting 27
event; and 28
(c) In transit to or from school or school-sponsored activities.29
(5) An authorization granted under subsection (3) of this 30
section: 31
(a) Must be effective only for the same school and school year 32
for which it is granted; and 33
(b) Must be renewed by the parent or guardian each subsequent 34
school year in accordance with this subsection. 35
(6) School districts must require that backup medication, if 36
provided by a student's parent or guardian, be kept at a student's 37
school in a location to which the student has immediate access in the 38
event of an asthma or anaphylaxis emergency. 39
p. 2 SB 5897
(7) School districts must require that information described in 1
subsection (3)(c) and (d) of this section be kept on file at the 2
student's school in a location easily accessible in the event of an 3
asthma or anaphylaxis emergency. 4
(8) Nothing in this section creates a cause of action or in any 5
other way increases or diminishes the liability of any person under 6
any other law. 7
--- END ---
p. 3 SB 5897