NE Ohio Times

The Ohio Senate has passed House Bill 70, which mandates that schools in the state develop policies for administering over-the-counter medications. The bill was sponsored by State Representatives Jennifer Gross and Sarah Fowler Arthur.

Currently, public schools in Ohio are only required to have policies for prescription medications. House Bill 70 seeks to extend this requirement to include over-the-counter drugs.

"Parents know their child’s medical history best," said Gross. "Now, with the Governor’s signature remaining, this legislation is poised to become law. It will foster collaboration between parents and schools, ultimately protecting the health and safety of Ohio children."

The bill aims to safeguard student health, improve communication between school nurses and parents regarding children's health needs, and shield schools from potential liability issues.

"Representative Gross and I brought this legislation forward when we learned that Ohio law is silent regarding over-the-counter medication administration within a school," stated Fowler Arthur. "The absence of a clear policy has led to a child becoming ill from the administration of an over-the-counter medicine that interacted with her prescription medication. With the Ohio Senate passing House Bill 70, we are one step closer to ensuring the protection and safety of our children."

House Bill 70 now awaits action from the Governor for either approval or veto.