allow public school nurses to provide high school students with OTC painkillers without a doctor’s note.

 

Public school nurses would be allowed to provide high school students with over-the-counter painkillers without the

requirement of a doctor’s note or special permission in advance (not including the consent form). School nurses' offices

would be regularly stocked with OTCs like Advil and Tylenol. This is so that when students suffering from terrible

headaches, migraines, or cramps can’t focus in class, they can take a painkiller and come back to their work.

 

Students without doctor’s notes are often denied access to medication that’s already over-the-counter. Many high school

students suffer from headaches and migraines during the school day, though it can be especially difficult for female

students. Period pain affects 70-90% of female teens, and 20-30% of them miss school due to the pain. This issue is so

common that some students even look to taking OTC painkillers in their bags to school. This can get out of hand very

quickly because students could start misusing the medicines and passing them to other students. For students, it would

be much safer if the school were allowed to provide teenagers with a safer alternative where OTCs are available for

students with consent from parents or guardians via a consent form. Guardians will be notified if a student stops by the

nurse’s office for multiple OTCs in a week, and a student is only allowed one dose a day (dosage is decided by the

school nurse). If taking medication during the day were allowed, more students wouldn’t have to worry about missing

school assignments and activities, and they could continue learning.

 

Over-The-Counter Painkillers: Non-prescription acetaminophen and NSAIDs, Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (for

example, ibuprofen), medicines safe for teens found in pharmacies, such as Tylenol and Advil. This definition does not

include Aspirin.

Public School: A primary or secondary school funded in whole or in part by the government of the state that is also

required to follow the state-mandated curriculum and testing.

Consent Form: Starting at the beginning of the school year, parents or guardians will be sent a form where they will

decide whether their student is allowed to request painkillers from the school nurse. If they decide yes, parents or

guardians will detail which medicines their child can and cannot have. This form will be signed by parents or guardians

and the child before sending it to the school.

 

OTC painkillers will be provided by the school district funds already used to support medical supplies. This wouldn’t be

a big increase in money spent because many high schools already stock OTC painkillers.

 

Not Applicable.

 

This bill will be effective starting the 2026-27 school year.