South Ohio News

State Representatives Jennifer Gross and Sarah Fowler Arthur have announced the successful passage of House Bill 70 in the House Primary and Secondary Education Committee. The bill is designed to require Ohio schools to establish policies for administering over-the-counter medication.

Gross, a State Representative from R-West Chester, stated that "School districts should have parent approved, well written policies and procedures that focus on safe administration of over-the-counter medications,". She further added, "Our goal with this legislation is to ensure all of our children are as safe as possible."

A press release from Gross elaborated on the bill's key objectives. These include protecting Ohio's children from unexpected medication reactions, enhancing communication between school nurses and parents about a child's health history and needs, and mitigating potential liability for schools.

The press release also clarified that the legislation aims to establish clear and standardized procedures for administering over-the-counter medication in schools. It emphasized child safety, efficient communication, and legal risk reduction in educational settings.

In reference to current policies, State Representative Sarah Fowler Arthur (R-Ashtabula) reiterated the bill's intent to rectify an oversight by establishing more consistent measures to ensure uniform protection of student health. Fowler Arthur said, "This bill seeks to address an existing policy gap to ensure consistent student health protection, highlighting the critical need for schools to actively involve parents in conversations regarding their child's health and well-being."