---
title: HB 1056. Education; replace term auto-injectable epinephrine with epinephrine and consolidate provisions relating to epinephrine and schools
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/hb1056
cite_as: HB 1056, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1056
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1056.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1056/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72481
date: 2026-03-06
status: introduced
corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13
license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 185
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1056.md?full=1
bill_number: HB 1056
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: House
bill_type: bill
status_date: 2026-01-28
last_action: House Committee Favorably Reported
sponsors:
  - Rick Townsend
  - Chris Erwin
  - Lydia Glaize
  - Sandy Donatucci
  - Ron Stephens
  - Lynn Smith
text_version: Introduced
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HB1056/2025
upstream_id: 2100669
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
  - school health policy
  - epinephrine and allergies
  - student medication
  - school liability
  - public health law
---

# HB 1056. Education; replace term auto-injectable epinephrine with epinephrine and consolidate provisions relating to epinephrine and schools

## Text

House Bill 1056
By: Representatives Townsend of the 179th, Erwin of the 32nd, Glaize of the 67th, Donatucci
of the 105th, Stephens of the 164th, and others
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Part 3 of Article 16 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated, relating to student health in elementary and secondary education, so as to replace
the term "auto-injectable epinephrine" with "epinephrine" and to consolidate provisions
relating to epinephrine and schools; to revise a definition; to make conforming changes; to
amend Chapter 4 of Title 26 and Chapter 1 of Title 35 of the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated, relating to pharmacists and pharmacies and general provisions relative to health,
respectively, so as to replace the term "auto-injectable epinephrine" with "epinephrine" and
make conforming changes; to revise a definition; to provide for related matters; to repeal
conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
Part 3 of Article 16 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated,
relating to student health in elementary and secondary education, is amended by repealing
Code Section 20-2-776, relating to student retention and self-administration of
auto-injectable epinephrine and liability of school system, and enacting a new Code section
to read as follows:
<ins>"20-2-776.
(a) As used in this Code section, the term:
(1) 'Epinephrine' means a drug delivery system that contains a premeasured single dose
of epinephrine used to treat life-threatening allergic reactions and has been approved by
the United States Food and Drug Administration.
(2) 'Licensed practitioner' means a physician licensed to practice medicine in this state,
an advanced practice registered nurse acting pursuant to the authority of Code Section
43-34-25, and a physician assistant acting pursuant to the authority of subsection (e.1) of
Code Section 43-34-103.
(b) The policies adopted pursuant to this Code section shall include provisions to protect
the safety of all students from the misuse and abuse of epinephrine.
(c)(1) Each local board of education and other public school governing body shall adopt
a policy authorizing a student to carry and self-administer prescription epinephrine. Such
policy shall provide that in order to carry and self-administer prescription epinephrine,
the student's parent or guardian shall provide:
(A) A written statement from a licensed practitioner detailing the name of the
medication, method, amount, and time schedules by which the medication is to be
taken, and confirming that the student is able to self-administer prescription
epinephrine; and
(B) A written statement by the parent or guardian consenting to such
self-administration, providing a release for the school nurse or other designated school
employee or agent to consult with the physician regarding any questions that may arise
with regard to the medication, and releasing the local school system or other public
school and its employees and agents from civil liability if the self-administering student
suffers an adverse reaction as a result of self-administering prescription epinephrine
pursuant to this Code section.
</ins>
<ins>(2) Such written statements shall be provided at least annually and more frequently if the
medication, dosage, frequency of administration, or reason for administration changes.
(d) Any student who is authorized to self-administer prescription epinephrine pursuant to
this Code section may possess and use such prescription epinephrine:
(1) While in school;
(2) At a school sponsored activity;
(3) While under the supervision of a school employee or agent; or
(4) While in before-school or after-school care on school operated property.
(e) A student may be subject to disciplinary action if he or she uses epinephrine in a
manner other than as prescribed.
(f)(1) A public school shall be authorized to receive and store prescription epinephrine
onsite on behalf of a student who is not able to self-administer the medication because
of age or any other reason if the parent or guardian of such student provides:
(A) A written statement from a licensed practitioner detailing the name of the
medication, method, amount, and time schedules by which the medication is to be
taken; and
(B) A written statement by the parent or guardian providing a release for the school
nurse or other designated school employee or agent to consult with the licensed
practitioner regarding any questions that may arise with regard to the medication, and
releasing the local board of education or other public school governing body, the local
school system or public school, and the employees and agents thereof from civil
liability.
(2) Such written statements shall be provided at least annually and more frequently if the
medication, dosage, frequency of administration, or reason for administration changes.
(g) Each local board of education and other public school governing body shall:
</ins>
<ins>(1) Provide information to school employees and agents, as appropriate, on how to
recognize the symptoms of anaphylactic shock and the correct method of administering
epinephrine; and
(2) Adopt a policy authorizing designated school employees and agents to:
(A) Provide epinephrine to a student for immediate self-administration if such school
employee or agent believes in good faith such student is experiencing an anaphylactic
adverse reaction; and
(B) Administer epinephrine to any student such school employee or agent believes in
good faith is experiencing an anaphylactic adverse reaction in accordance with a
standing protocol from the prescribing licensed practitioner.
(h) Any employee or agent of a public or private school who has completed training or
received information in recognizing the symptoms of anaphylactic shock and the correct
method of administering epinephrine may:
(1) Provide epinephrine to a student for immediate self-administration if such school
employee or agent believes in good faith such student is experiencing an anaphylactic
adverse reaction, regardless of whether the student has a prescription for epinephrine; and
(2) Administer epinephrine to any student such employee or agent believes in good faith
is experiencing an anaphylactic adverse reaction in accordance with a standing protocol
from the prescribing licensed practitioner.
(i) Any employee or agent of a public or private school who in good faith administers or
chooses not to administer epinephrine to a student pursuant to this Code section shall be
immune from civil liability for any act or omission to act related to the administration of
epinephrine, except that such immunity shall not apply to an act of willful or wanton
misconduct.
(j) Any licensed practitioner who prescribes epinephrine pursuant to Code
Section 26-4-116.1 for use by a public or private school in accordance with this Code
section shall be immune from civil liability for any act or omission to act related to the
</ins>
<ins>administration of such epinephrine, except that such immunity shall not apply to an act of
willful or wanton misconduct.
(k) A public or private school in this state may acquire and stock a supply of epinephrine
pursuant to a prescription issued in accordance with Code Section 26-4-116.1. A public
or private school may designate an employee or agent trained in the possession and
administration of epinephrine to be responsible for the storage, maintenance, and
distribution of the epinephrine stocked by the school.
(l) A public or private school may enter into arrangements with manufacturers of approved
epinephrine or third-party suppliers of epinephrine to obtain the products free of charge or
at fair market or reduced prices.
(m) No later than July 1, 2026, the State Board of Education, in consultation with the
Department of Public Health, shall adopt regulations as necessary to implement the
provisions of this Code section."
</ins> SECTION 2.
Said part is further amended by repealing and reserving Code Section 20-2-776.1, relating
to administration of auto-injectable epinephrine by school personnel.
SECTION 3.
Said part is further amended by repealing and reserving Code Section 20-2-776.2, relating
to stock supply of auto-injectable epinephrine, requirements, and limited liability.
SECTION 4.
Chapter 4 of Title 26 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to pharmacists and
pharmacies, is amended by revising Code Section 26-4-116.1, relating to licensed health
practitioners authorized to prescribe auto-injectable epinephrine for schools and pharmacists
authorized to fill prescriptions, as follows:
"26-4-116.1.
(a) A physician licensed to practice medicine in this state, an advanced practice registered
nurse acting pursuant to the authority of Code Section 43-34-25, and a physician assistant
acting pursuant to the authority of subsection (e.1) of Code Section 43-34-103 may
prescribe <del>auto-injectable</del> epinephrine in the name of a public or private school for use in
accordance with Code Section <del>20-2-776.2</del> <ins>20-2-776</ins> and in accordance with <ins>a</ins> protocol
specified by such physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant.
(b) A physician licensed to practice medicine in this state, an advanced practice registered
nurse acting pursuant to the authority of Code Section 43-34-25, and a physician assistant
acting pursuant to the authority of subsection (e.1) of Code Section 43-34-103 may
prescribe <del>auto-injectable</del> epinephrine in the name of an authorized entity in accordance
with Code Section 31-1-15.
(c) A pharmacist may dispense <del>auto-injectable</del> epinephrine pursuant to a prescription
issued in accordance with subsection (a) or (b) of this Code section."
SECTION 5.
Chapter 1 of Title 35 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general
provisions relative to health, is amended in Code Section 31-1-15, relating to use of
auto-injectable epinephrine by authorized entities, by replacing the term "auto-injectable
epinephrine" with "epinephrine" wherever the former term appears and by revising paragraph
(2) of subsection (a) as follows:
"(2) <ins>'Epinephrine' means a drug delivery system that contains a premeasured single dose
of epinephrine and has been approved by the United States Food and Drug
Administration for human use.</ins> <del>'Auto-injectable epinephrine' means a single-use device
used for the automatic injection of a premeasured dose of epinephrine into the human
body."
</del>
SECTION 6.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.

## Summaries written by Georgia Commons

The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the bill. Quote the text, not the summary.

A Georgia House bill would rewrite the state's school epinephrine laws, replacing the term 'auto-injectable epinephrine' with the broader term 'epinephrine' and combining several scattered school policy sections into one updated law.

### Plain-language summary

Georgia law currently uses the term 'auto-injectable epinephrine' to describe emergency allergy medication that schools and students can carry, store, and administer. This term is tied to a specific delivery device, but newer forms of epinephrine, like nasal sprays, do not fit that description. This bill replaces 'auto-injectable epinephrine' with the broader term 'epinephrine' throughout the relevant Georgia Code sections covering schools, pharmacists, and authorized entities.
The bill repeals the old student self-administration law (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-776) and replaces it with a new, consolidated version covering student self-administration, school storage, staff training, stocking supplies, liability protections, and vendor arrangements. It also repeals two related sections (20-2-776.1 and 20-2-776.2) since their content is folded into the new section, and updates the pharmacist prescribing law (O.C.G.A. § 26-4-116.1) and the authorized entities law (O.C.G.A. § 31-1-15) to match. The State Board of Education must adopt implementing regulations by July 1, 2026.

### What it does

- Repeals the existing student self-administration law (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-776) and replaces it with a consolidated version covering self-administration, school storage, staff response, and stocking supplies.
- Replaces the term 'auto-injectable epinephrine' with 'epinephrine' throughout the school, pharmacy, and authorized entity statutes so the law covers any FDA-approved epinephrine delivery method, not just injectors.
- Repeals two now-redundant Code sections (20-2-776.1 on staff administration and 20-2-776.2 on stock supplies) since their substance is merged into the new consolidated section.
- Updates the pharmacist prescribing law (O.C.G.A. § 26-4-116.1) to reference the new consolidated school section and to use the broader 'epinephrine' term.
- Revises the definition of epinephrine in the authorized entities law (O.C.G.A. § 31-1-15) to describe a premeasured dose delivery system rather than an 'auto-injectable' device.
- Requires the State Board of Education, working with the Department of Public Health, to adopt implementing regulations by July 1, 2026.

### Who it affects

Public and private school students with severe allergies, their parents and guardians, school nurses and staff who store or administer epinephrine, licensed practitioners who write prescriptions, pharmacists who fill them, and school governing bodies that must adopt related policies.

### Why it matters

By broadening the legal term from 'auto-injectable epinephrine' to just 'epinephrine,' schools and staff could legally stock, prescribe, and administer newer epinephrine products like nasal sprays, not just injector devices, potentially giving schools more options for treating severe allergic reactions.

### Key provisions

- Section 1 repeals and replaces O.C.G.A. § 20-2-776, consolidating rules for student self-administration, school storage, staff training, stocking, liability immunity, and vendor arrangements into one section.
- Section 1 requires parental consent and a licensed practitioner's written statement, renewed at least annually, before a student can carry and self-administer epinephrine.
- Section 1 grants civil liability immunity to school employees and licensed practitioners who administer epinephrine in good faith, except in cases of willful or wanton misconduct.
- Section 1 sets a July 1, 2026 deadline for the State Board of Education, in consultation with the Department of Public Health, to adopt implementing regulations.
- Sections 2 and 3 repeal Code Sections 20-2-776.1 and 20-2-776.2, which previously covered staff administration and stock supplies separately.
- Section 4 revises O.C.G.A. § 26-4-116.1 to remove 'auto-injectable' from prescribing authority language and update its cross-reference to the new consolidated section.
- Section 5 amends O.C.G.A. § 31-1-15 to replace 'auto-injectable epinephrine' with 'epinephrine' and rewrites the definition to focus on a premeasured dose delivery system approved by the FDA.

## Status

- Status: Introduced (2026-01-28)
- Last action: House Committee Favorably Reported (2026-03-06)
- Sponsors: Rick Townsend, Chris Erwin, Lydia Glaize, Sandy Donatucci, Ron Stephens, Lynn Smith
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72481

> The history, votes, and amendments (185 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1056.md?full=1