Hill-Evans’ bill to ensure lifesaving asthma medication is available for students passes House
Rep. Carol Hill-Evans June 4, 2026
HARRISBURG, June 4 – Yesterday, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a bill introduced by State Rep. Carol Hill-Evans, D-York, which would ensure that lifesaving asthma medication is available for students in cases of emergency.
House Bill 2117 would authorize Pennsylvania schools to maintain a supply of short-acting asthma medications, such as albuterol or a nebulizer, and permit a licensed healthcare practitioner or trained school employee to administer them to students in respiratory distress with the permission of a legal guardian.
Hill-Evans, chair of the House State Government Committee, said that many schools can only respond to an asthma emergency if a student has their own prescribed inhaler on hand. However, too often, that inhaler is forgotten, lost or expired.
“Asthma attacks can be unpredictable, often triggered by everyday exposures like pollen, dust, exercise or viral infections. For some students, these attacks can escalate rapidly, creating life-threatening emergencies within minutes,” Hill-Evans said. “By ensuring immediate access to treatment, we can protect our most vulnerable students and help children return to the classroom and continue learning with minimal disruption to their day.”
Notably, the bill authorizes—but does not require—public schools and nonpublic schools to allow trained employees to provide or administer short-acting asthma medications to students, including in emergencies when anaphylaxis is suspected.
House Bill 2117 would require that staff members responsible for the asthma medication complete Department of Health training, permit parental opt-outs, and provide Good Samaritan liability protections for school personnel.
“According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, 1 in 13 children in Pennsylvania suffers from asthma,” Hill-Evans said. “This legislation is a practical, life-saving measure that strengthens the ability of our schools to respond in an emergency and reflects our shared commitment to keeping every child in Pennsylvania safe.”
The bill now moves to the state Senate.