North Carolina 2025 Session Status: Passed House Bipartisan · 15 D · 5 R cosponsors

HB 397 — Use of Epinephrine Nasal Spray.

Last action — Regular Message Sent To Senate

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has passed the House. Introduced March 13, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.

Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the Senate.

Odds of enactment

Moderate chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a moderate chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 74% · high confidence
  • Passed House

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 20 sponsors

    1 primary, 19 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (15 D · 5 R) — cross-party backing.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 1 recorded vote so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

79 added · 206 removed

Plain-language change summary

The updated version of House Bill 397 introduces provisions for schools to develop emergency plans for using epinephrine auto-injectors in case of severe allergic reactions. This includes training school staff on how to recognize symptoms of anaphylaxis and ensuring that emergency epinephrine supplies are properly stored and managed. This change is important because it enhances safety measures for students with severe allergies by ensuring that trained personnel are prepared to act quickly in emergencies.

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GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2025 H 2 HOUSE BILL 397 Committee Substitute Favorable 4/1/25 Short Title:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2025 H 1 HOUSE BILL 397 Short Title:
Use of Epinephrine Nasal Spray.
Use of Epinephrine Nasal Spray in Schools.
Representative Lambeth.
For a complete list of sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly web site.
March 17, 2025 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO ALLOW THE USE OF EPINEPHRINE NASAL SPRAY IN ADDITION TO AUTO-INJECTORS.
Health, if favorable, Education - K-12, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House March 17, 2025 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO ALLOW THE USE OF EPINEPHRINE NASAL SPRAY IN ADDITION TO AUTO-INJECTORS IN SCHOOLS.
"(a) Local boards of education shall adopt a policy authorizing a student with asthma or a student subject to anaphylactic reactions, or both, to possess and self-administer asthma medication on school property during the school day, at school-sponsored activities, or while in transit to orfrom school orschool-sponsoredevents.
"(a) Local boards of education shall adopt a policy authorizing a student with asthma or a student subject to anaphylactic reactions, or both, to possess and self-administer asthma medication on school property during the school day, at school-sponsored activities, or while in transit to orfromschool orschool-sponsoredevents.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the school nurse or other designated school personnel who has received training under this subsection shall obtain a non-patient specific prescription for an epinephrine auto-injectors delivery system from a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner of the local health department serving the area in which the local school administrative unit is located.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the school nurse or other designated school personnel who has received training under this subsection shall obtain a non-patient specific prescription for an epinephrine auto-injectors delivery system from a physician, physician assistant, or nurse *H397-v-1* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 practitioner of the local health department serving the area in which the local school administrative unit is located.
*H397-v-2* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (d) The principal shall collaborate with appropriate school personnel to develop an emergency action plan for the use of epinephrine auto-injectors delivery systems in an emergency.
(d) The principal shall collaborate with appropriate school personnel to develop an emergency action plan for the use of epinephrine auto-injectors delivery systems in an emergency.
(3) Emergency follow-up procedures, including calling emergency services and contacting a student's parent and parent, guardian, and physician.
(3) Emergency follow-up procedures, including calling emergency services and contacting a student's parent and physician.
…." SECTION 1.(c) G.S.
…." SECTION 2.(a) G.S.
115C-12(31) are implemented in charter schools in which students with diabetes are enrolled and that charter schools otherwise comply with G.S.
115C-12(31) are implemented in charter schools in which students with Page 2 House Bill 397-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 diabetes are enrolled and that charter schools otherwise comply with G.S.
Page 2 House Bill 397-Second Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (6) The Department of Public Instruction shall ensure that charter schools comply with G.S.
(6) The Department of Public Instruction shall ensure that charter schools comply with G.S.
115C-375.2A." SECTION 1.(d) G.S.
115C-375.2A." SECTION 2.(b) G.S.
115C-375.2A." SECTION 1.(e) G.S.
115C-375.2A." SECTION 3.
116-239.8(b)(9) reads as rewritten:
This act is effective when it becomes law and applies beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.
"(9) Health and safety.
House Bill 397-First Edition Page 3
– The chancellor shall require that the laboratory school meet the same health and safety standards required of a local school administrative unit.
The Department of Public Instruction shall ensure that laboratory schools comply with G.S.
115C-375.2A.
The chancellor shall provide the laboratory school with a supply of emergency epinephrine auto-injectors delivery systems necessary to carry out the provisions of G.S.
115C-375.2A." SECTION 1.(f) This section is effective when it becomes law and applies beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.
SECTION 2.
G.S.
90-21.15A reads as rewritten:
"§ 90-21.15A.
Emergency treatment using epinephrine auto-injector;
delivery systems;
immunity.
(a) Definitions.
– The following definitions apply in this section:
(1) Administer.
– The direct application of an epinephrine auto-injector delivery system to the body of an individual.
(2) Authorized entity.
– Any entity or organization, other than a school described in G.S.
115C-375.2A, at which allergens capable of causing anaphylaxis may be present, including, but not limited to, recreation camps, colleges, universities, day care facilities, youth sports leagues, amusement parks, restaurants, places of employment, and sports arenas.
An authorized entity shallalsoincludeanyperson,corporation,orotherentitythatownsoroperates any entity or organization listed.
(3) Epinephrine auto-injector.
deliverysystem.
– A single-use device used for the automatic injection of a premeasured dose of disposable drug delivery system that is designed for emergency administration of epinephrine into the human body.to provide rapid, convenient first aid for persons suffering a potentially fatal reaction to anaphylaxis, including nasal sprays and injectors with a spring-activated, concealed needle.
(4) Health care provider.
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– A health care provider licensed to prescribe drugs under the laws of this State.
(5) Provide.
– To supplyone or more epinephrine auto-injectors delivery systems to an individual.
(b) Prescribing to Authorized Entities Permitted.
– A health care provider may prescribe epinephrine auto-injectors delivery systems in the name of an authorized entity for use in accordance with this section, and pharmacists and health care providers may dispense epinephrine auto-injectors delivery systems pursuant to a prescription issued in the name of an House Bill 397-Second Edition Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 authorized entity.
A prescription issued pursuant to this section shall be valid for no more than two years.
(c) AuthorizedEntitiesPermittedtoMaintainSupply.
–Anauthorizedentitymayacquire and stock a supply of epinephrine auto-injectors delivery systems pursuant to a prescription issued in accordance with this section.
An authorized entity that acquires and stocks epinephrine auto-injectors delivery systems shall make a good-faith effort to store the supply of epinephrine auto-injectors delivery systems in accordance with the epinephrine auto-injector delivery system manufacturer's instructions for use and any additional requirements that may be established by the Department of Health and Human Services.
An authorized entity that acquires and stocks a supply of epinephrine auto-injectors delivery systems pursuant to a prescription issued in accordancewiththissectionshalldesignateemployeesoragentstoberesponsibleforthestorage, maintenance, control, and general oversight of epinephrine auto-injectors delivery systems acquired by the authorized entity.
(d) Use of Epinephrine Auto-Injectors Delivery Systems by Authorized Entities.
– An employee or agent of an authorized entity or other individual who has completed the training required by subsection (e) of this section may use epinephrine auto-injectors prescribed pursuant to G.S.
90-726.1 delivery systems to do any of the following:
(1) Provide an epinephrine auto-injector delivery system to any individual who the employee, agent, or other individual believes in good faith is experiencing anaphylaxis, or a person believed in good faith to be the parent, guardian, or caregiver of such individual, for immediate administration, regardless of whether the individual has a prescription for an epinephrine auto-injector delivery system or has previously been diagnosed with an allergy.
(2) Administer an epinephrine auto-injector delivery system to any individual who the employee, agent, or other individual believes in good faith is experiencing anaphylaxis, regardless of whether the individual has a prescriptionforanepinephrineauto-injectordeliverysystemorhaspreviously been diagnosed with an allergy.
(e) Mandatory Training Program.
– An authorized entity that elects to acquire and stock a supply of epinephrine auto-injectors delivery systems as described in subsection (c) of this section shall designate employees or agents to complete an anaphylaxis training program.
The training may be conducted online or in person and shall, at a minimum, include all of the following components:
(1) How to recognize signs and symptoms of severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis.
(2) Standards and procedures for the storage and administration of an epinephrine auto-injector.delivery system.
(3) Emergency follow-up procedures.
In-person training shall cover the three components listed in this subsectionand be conducted by (i) a physician, physician assistant, or registered nurse licensed to practice in this State;
(ii) a nationally recognized organization experienced in training laypersons in emergency health treatment;
or (iii) an entity or individual approved by the Department of Health and Human Services.
Online training shall cover the three components listed in this subsection and be offered (i) by a nationally recognized organization experienced in training laypersons in emergency health treatment;
(ii) by an entity or individual approved by the Department of Health and Human Services;
or (iii) by means of an online training course that has been approved by another state.
(f) Immunity.
– (1) The following persons are immune from criminal liabilityand from suit in any civil action brought by any person for injuries or related damages that result from any act or omission taken pursuant to this section:
Page 4 House Bill 397-Second Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 a.
Any authorized entity that voluntarily and without expectation of payment possesses and makes available epinephrine auto-injectors.delivery systems.
b.
Anyemployeeoragentofanauthorizedentity,oranyotherindividual, who provides or administers an epinephrine auto-injector delivery system to an individual whom the employee, agent, or other individual believes in good faith is experiencing symptoms of anaphylaxis and has completed the required training set forth in subsection (e) of this section.
c.
A health care provider that prescribes epinephrine auto-injectors delivery systems to an authorized entity.
d.
A pharmacist or health care provider that dispenses epinephrine auto-injectors delivery systems to an authorized entity.
e.
Any individual or entity that conducts the training mandated by subsection (e) of this section.
(2) The immunity conferred by this section does not apply to acts or omissions constituting willful or wanton conduct as defined in G.S.
1D-5(7) or intentional wrongdoing.
(3) Nothing in this section creates or imposes any duty, obligation, or basis for liability on any authorized entity, any employee or agent of an authorized entity, or any other individual to acquire, possess, store, make available, or administer an epinephrine auto-injector.delivery system.
(4) Thissectiondoesnoteliminate,limit,orreduceanyotherimmunityordefense that may be available under State law, including the protections set forth in G.S.
90-21.14.
(g) Liability for Acts Outside of This State.
– An authorized entity located in this State shall not be liable under the laws of this State for any injuries or related damages resulting from the provision or administration of an epinephrine auto-injector delivery system outside of this State under either of the following circumstances:
(1) If the authorized entity would not have been liable for such injuries or related damages if the epinephrine auto-injector delivery system had been provided or administered within this State.
(2) If the authorized entity is not liable for such injuries or related damages under the laws of the state in which the epinephrine auto-injector delivery system was provided or administered.
(h) Does Not Constitute Practice of Medicine.
– The administration of an epinephrine auto-injector delivery system in accordance with this section is not the practice of medicine or any other profession that otherwise requires licensure." SECTION 3.
Except as otherwise provided, this act is effective when it becomes law.
House Bill 397-Second Edition Page 5
View plain text versions (3)

Action History

  1. Regular Message Sent To Senate

  2. Regular Message Received From House

  3. Passed 1st Reading

  4. Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

  5. Passed 2nd Reading

  6. Passed 3rd Reading

  7. Reptd Fav

  8. Cal Pursuant Rule 36(b)

  9. Placed On Cal For 04/09/2025

  10. Reptd Fav Com Substitute

  11. Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

  12. Reptd Fav

  13. Re-ref Com On Education - K-12

  14. Passed 1st Reading

  15. Ref to the Com on Health, if favorable, Education - K-12, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

  16. Filed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 19 co-sponsors · 159 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (19)

Not signed on (159)

159 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 159 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Second Reading

Passed 113 Yea · 0 Nay · 7 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 42002
U 2000
Unaffiliated 6000
Republican 63005
Total 113007
% of votes cast 94%0%0%6%
How each member voted (120)
Member Party Vote
CharlesSmith — Yea
vonHaefen — Yea
Campbell — Yea
Reeder — Yea
C. Smith — Yea
F. Jackson — Yea
Abe Jones Democratic Yea
Aisha O. Dew Democratic Yea
Allen Buansi Democratic Yea
Allison A. Dahle Democratic Yea
Amber M. Baker Democratic Yea
Amos L. Quick, III Democratic Yea
B. Ray Jeffers Democratic Yea
Becky Carney Democratic Yea
Beth Helfrich Democratic Yea
Brandon Lofton Democratic Yea
Brian Turner Democratic Yea
Bryan Cohn Democratic Not Voting
Carolyn G. Logan Democratic Yea
Cecil Brockman Democratic Yea
Cynthia Ball Democratic Yea
Dante Pittman Democratic Yea
Deb Butler Democratic Yea
Eric Ager Democratic Yea
Garland E. Pierce Democratic Yea
Gloristine Brown Democratic Yea
James Roberson Democratic Yea
Jordan Lopez Democratic Yea
Julia Greenfield Democratic Yea
Kanika Brown Democratic Yea
Laura Budd Democratic Yea
Lindsey Prather Democratic Yea
Marcia Morey Democratic Yea
Maria Cervania Democratic Yea
Mary Belk Democratic Yea
Mike Colvin Democratic Yea
Monika Johnson-Hostler Democratic Yea
Phil Rubin Democratic Yea
Pricey Harrison Democratic Yea
Renée A. Price Democratic Yea
Robert T. Reives, II Democratic Yea
Rodney D. Pierce Democratic Yea
Sarah Crawford Democratic Yea
Shelly Willingham Democratic Yea
Terry M. Brown Jr. Democratic Yea
Tim Longest Democratic Yea
Tracy Clark Democratic Yea
Vernetta Alston Democratic Not Voting
Ya Liu Democratic Yea
Zack Hawkins Democratic Yea
A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr. Republican Yea
Allen Chesser Republican Not Voting
Ben T. Moss, Jr. Republican Yea
Bill Ward Republican Yea
Blair Eddins Republican Yea
Brenden H. Jones Republican Not Voting
Brian Biggs Republican Yea
Brian Echevarria Republican Yea
Celeste C. Cairns Republican Yea
Charles W. Miller Republican Yea
Chris Humphrey Republican Yea
Cody Huneycutt Republican Yea
David Willis Republican Yea
Dean Arp Republican Yea
Dennis Riddell Republican Yea
Destin Hall Republican Yea
Diane Wheatley Republican Yea
Donna McDowell White Republican Yea
Donnie Loftis Republican Yea
Donny Lambeth Republican Yea
Dudley Greene Republican Yea
Edward C. Goodwin Republican Yea
Erin Paré Republican Yea
Frank Iler Republican Yea
Harry Warren Republican Yea
Heather H. Rhyne Republican Yea
Howard Penny, Jr. Republican Yea
Hugh Blackwell Republican Yea
Jarrod Lowery Republican Yea
Jay Adams Republican Yea
Jeff Zenger Republican Yea
Jeffrey C. McNeely Republican Yea
Jennifer Balkcom Republican Yea
Jerry "Alan" Branson Republican Yea
Jimmy Dixon Republican Yea
John A. Torbett Republican Yea
John M. Blust Republican Yea
John R. Bell, IV Republican Yea
John Sauls Republican Not Voting
Jonathan L. Almond Republican Yea
Joseph Pike Republican Yea
Julia C. Howard Republican Yea
Karl E. Gillespie Republican Yea
Keith Kidwell Republican Yea
Kelly E. Hastings Republican Yea
Kyle Hall Republican Yea
Larry C. Strickland Republican Yea
Larry W. Potts Republican Yea
Mark Brody Republican Yea
Mark Pless Republican Yea
Matthew Winslow Republican Yea
Mike Clampitt Republican Not Voting
Mike Schietzelt Republican Yea
Mitchell S. Setzer Republican Yea
Neal Jackson Republican Yea
Paul Scott Republican Yea
Phil Shepard Republican Yea
Ray Pickett Republican Yea
Sam Watford Republican Yea
Sarah Stevens Republican Yea
Stephen M. Ross Republican Yea
Steve Tyson Republican Yea
Ted Davis, Jr. Republican Yea
Todd Carver Republican Yea
Todd Johnson Republican Yea
Tricia Ann Cotham Republican Not Voting
William D. Brisson Republican Yea
Wyatt Gable Republican Yea
Carla D. Cunningham U Yea
Nasif Majeed U Yea

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Subjects

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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 397?
HB 397 is sponsored by Shelly Willingham (Democratic), Bill Ward (Republican), Brian Turner (Democratic), Phil Rubin (Democratic), Lindsey Prather (Democratic), Ben T. Moss, Jr. (Republican), Carolyn G. Logan (Democratic), Zack Hawkins (Democratic), Pricey Harrison (Democratic), Julia Greenfield (Democratic), Sarah Crawford (Democratic), Bryan Cohn (Democratic), Becky Carney (Democratic), Deb Butler (Democratic), William D. Brisson (Republican), Mary Belk (Democratic), Amber M. Baker (Democratic), Tricia Ann Cotham (Republican), Donny Lambeth (Republican), and Cecil Brockman (Democratic).
What is the current status of HB 397?
This bill has passed the House. Introduced March 13, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.
Where can I track HB 397?
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