The Senate on Monday proposed to the House amendments to H.209 to allow intranasal formulations of epinephrine to be administered in schools and to update related training and standing-order language.

Senator Heffernan (Addison District), reporting for the education committee, said the bill replaces language that referenced "auto-inject" devices with a broader description that accommodates Food and Drug Administration-approved epinephrine delivery systems, including intranasal products. Committee language adds a specific training delegation: personnel administering epinephrine must complete training required by state board policy and may act under standing orders delegated by a school nurse.

When questioned on the floor whether the change would prohibit schools from using auto-injectors, the presenter said no; the change was made because more than one delivery system is now available. Senators also asked who provides the epinephrine; the presenter said that "from what I understand, the school provides it." The committee's report named multiple witnesses, including Representative Leslie Goldman (house sponsor), Kaitlyn Cortez (state school nurse consultant, Vermont Department of Health), Katie McGlynn (legislative counsel), Courtney O'Brien (director of operations, Agency of Education), Jessica Scapano (policy director, Vermont Department of Health), and Alyssa Stalberg (family and child health director, Vermont Department of Health).

The committee voted 5-0-0 to recommend the amended language, and the Senate proposed the amendment to the House by voice vote and ordered third reading. Committee supporters said the change reflects collaboration among interested parties and clarifies that trained, authorized school personnel may administer epinephrine in an emergency using any FDA-approved delivery system, not solely an auto-injector.

The Senate discussion emphasized training, delegation by school nurses, and alignment with state board policy. The committee reporter said the amendments define school nurses and associate nurses consistent with the Agency of Education's licensing framework and replace references to specific device types with language recognizing FDA-approved delivery systems.