South Carolina Code of Laws
Chapter 63 - Pupils Generally
Section 59-63-80. Individual health care plans for students with special health care needs.

(A) As used in this section:
(1) "medication" is defined as medication prescribed by a health care provider contained in the original packaging with the appropriate pharmacy label or in a secure package containing a note from the prescribing physician or pharmacist that appropriately identifies the medicine;
(2) "monitoring device" is defined as implements prescribed by a health care provider for monitoring a chronic health condition; and
(3) "individual health care plan" (IHP) is defined as a plan of care designed specifically for an individual student to provide for meeting the health monitoring and care of the student during the school day or at school-sponsored functions.
(B) Each school district shall adopt a policy requiring that students with special health care needs have individual health care plans. This policy must provide for the authorization of a student to self-monitor and self-administer medication as prescribed by the student's health care provider unless there is sufficient evidence that unsupervised self-monitoring or self-medicating would seriously jeopardize the safety of the student or others. The policy must include, but is not limited to:
(1) a requirement that the student's parent or legal guardian provide to the school:
(a) written authorization from the parent or legal guardian for the student to self-monitor and self-administer medication; and
(b) a written statement from the student's health care practitioner who prescribed the medication verifying that the student has a medical condition and has been instructed and demonstrates competency in self-monitoring or self-administration of medications, or both.
(2) authorization for a student to possess on his person and administer medication while:
(a) in the classroom and in any area of the school or school grounds;
(b) at a school-sponsored activity;
(c) in transit to or from school or school-sponsored activities; or
(d) during before-school or after-school activities on school-operated property.
(C) The statements required in subsection (B)(1) must be kept on file in the office of the school nurse or school administrator.
(D)(1) The State Department of Education shall develop guidelines for required components of a written student individual health care plan which must be developed with input from and with the approval of:
(a) the student's health care practitioner who prescribed the medication;
(b) the parent or legal guardian;
(c) the student, if appropriate; and
(d) the school nurse or other designated school staff member.
(2) If a student qualifies for a Federal 504 medical accommodations plan, that process must meet the requirements for the state-required individual health plan.
(3) The parent or guardian and the student, if appropriate, shall authorize the school to share the student's individual health care plan with school staff who have a legitimate need for knowledge of the information.
(E) All medication authorized to be carried by the student must be maintained in a container appropriately labeled by the pharmacist who filled the prescription.
(F) A student's permission to self-monitor or self-administer medication may be revoked if the student endangers himself or others through misuse of the monitoring device or medication.
(G) The permission for self-monitoring or self-administration of medication is effective for the school year in which it is granted and must be renewed each school year upon fulfilling the requirements of this section.
(H) A parent or guardian shall sign a statement acknowledging that:
(1) the school district and its employees and agents are not liable for an injury arising from a student's self-monitoring or self-administration of medication;
(2) the parent or guardian shall indemnify and hold harmless the district and its employees and agents against a claim arising from a student's self-monitoring or self-administration of medication.
HISTORY: 2005 Act No. 81, Section 1, eff May 26, 2005.

Structure South Carolina Code of Laws