Tex. Health & Safety Code Section 773.0145
Possession and Administration of Epinephrine by Certain Entities


(a)

This section applies to:

(1)

an amusement park, as defined by Section 46.03 (Places Weapons Prohibited), Penal Code;

(2)

a child-care facility, as defined by Section 42.002 (Definitions), Human Resources Code;

(3)

a day camp or youth camp, as defined by Section 141.002 (Definitions);

(4)

a private or independent institution of higher education, as defined by Section 61.003 (Definitions), Education Code;

(5)

a restaurant, as defined by Section 17.821 (Definitions), Business & Commerce Code;

(6)

a sports venue, as defined by Section 504.151 (Definitions), Local Government Code;

(7)

a youth center, as defined by Section 481.134 (Drug-free Zones); or

(8)

subject to Subsection (b), any other entity that the executive commissioner by rule designates as an entity that would benefit from the possession and administration of epinephrine auto-injectors.

(b)

This section does not apply to a governmental entity.

(c)

An entity described by Subsection (a) may adopt a policy regarding the maintenance, administration, and disposal of epinephrine auto-injectors.

(d)

A policy adopted under Subsection (c) must provide that only an entity employee or volunteer who is authorized and trained may administer an epinephrine auto-injector to a person who is reasonably believed to be experiencing anaphylaxis on the premises of the entity.

(e)

The executive commissioner shall adopt rules regarding the maintenance, administration, and disposal of an epinephrine auto-injector by an entity subject to a policy adopted under Subsection (c). The rules must establish:

(1)

the number of epinephrine auto-injectors and the dosages of the auto-injectors available at each entity;

(2)

the process for each entity to verify the inventory of epinephrine auto-injectors at regular intervals for expiration and replacement; and

(3)

the amount of training required for an entity employee or volunteer to administer an epinephrine auto-injector.

(f)

Each entity that adopts a policy under Subsection (c) must have at least one entity employee or volunteer authorized and trained to administer an epinephrine auto-injector present during all hours the entity is open to the public or to the population that the entity serves, as applicable.

(g)

The supply of epinephrine auto-injectors at each entity must:

(1)

be stored in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions in a secure location; and

(2)

be easily accessible to an entity employee or volunteer authorized and trained to administer an epinephrine auto-injector.

(h)

Each entity that adopts a policy under Subsection (c) is responsible for training the entity’s employees and volunteers in the administration of an epinephrine auto-injector.

(i)

Employee and volunteer training under this section must:

(1)

include information on:

(A)

the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis;

(B)

the recommended dosages for an adult and a child;

(C)

the administration of an epinephrine auto-injector;

(D)

the implementation of emergency procedures, if necessary, after administering an epinephrine auto-injector; and

(E)

the proper disposal of used or expired epinephrine auto-injectors; and

(2)

be completed annually in a formal training session or through online education.

(j)

Each entity shall maintain records on the training completed by each employee and volunteer under this section.

(k)

A physician or person who has been delegated prescriptive authority under Chapter 157 (Authority of Physician to Delegate Certain Medical Acts), Occupations Code, may prescribe epinephrine auto-injectors in the name of an entity.

(l)

A physician or other person who prescribes epinephrine auto-injectors under Subsection (k) shall provide the entity with a standing order for the administration of an epinephrine auto-injector to a person reasonably believed to be experiencing anaphylaxis.

(m)

The standing order under Subsection (l) is not required to be patient-specific, and the epinephrine auto-injector may be administered to a person without a previously established physician-patient relationship.

(n)

Notwithstanding any other law, supervision or delegation by a physician is considered adequate if the physician:

(1)

periodically reviews the order; and

(2)

is available through direct telecommunication as needed for consultation, assistance, and direction.

(o)

For purposes of Subsection (n)(2), a person who has been delegated prescriptive authority under Chapter 157 (Authority of Physician to Delegate Certain Medical Acts), Occupations Code, is not engaged in the unauthorized practice of telemedicine or acting outside the person’s scope of practice by consulting a physician as provided by that subdivision when prescribing an epinephrine auto-injector in accordance with this section.

(p)

An order issued under this section must contain:

(1)

the name and signature of the prescriber;

(2)

the name of the entity to which the order is issued;

(3)

the quantity of epinephrine auto-injectors to be obtained and maintained under the order; and

(4)

the date of issue.

(q)

A pharmacist may dispense an epinephrine auto-injector to an entity without requiring the name or any other identifying information relating to the user.

(r)

A person who in good faith takes, or fails to take, any action under this section is immune from civil or criminal liability or disciplinary action resulting from that action or failure to act, including:

(1)

issuing an order for epinephrine auto-injectors;

(2)

supervising or delegating the administration of an epinephrine auto-injector;

(3)

possessing, maintaining, storing, or disposing of an epinephrine auto-injector;

(4)

prescribing an epinephrine auto-injector;

(5)

dispensing an epinephrine auto-injector;

(6)

administering, or assisting in administering, an epinephrine auto-injector;

(7)

providing, or assisting in providing, training, consultation, or advice in the development, adoption, or implementation of policies, guidelines, rules, or plans; or

(8)

undertaking any other act permitted or required under this section.

(s)

The immunities and protections provided by this section are in addition to other immunities or limitations of liability provided by law.

(t)

Notwithstanding any other law, this section does not create a civil, criminal, or administrative cause of action or liability or create a standard of care, obligation, or duty that provides a basis for a cause of action for an act or omission under this section.

(u)

A cause of action does not arise from an act or omission described by this section.

(v)

An entity and entity employees or volunteers are immune from suit resulting from an act, or failure to act, under this section, including an act or failure to act under related policies and procedures.

(w)

An act or failure to act by entity employees or volunteers under this section, including an act or failure to act under related policies and procedures, is the exercise of judgment or discretion on the part of the entity employee or volunteer and is not considered to be a ministerial act for purposes of liability of the entity.
Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1321 (H.B. 4260), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2019.
Amended by:
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 809 (H.B. 1927), Sec. 13, eff. September 1, 2021.

Source: Section 773.0145 — Possession and Administration of Epinephrine by Certain Entities, https://statutes.­capitol.­texas.­gov/Docs/HS/htm/HS.­773.­htm#773.­0145 (accessed Jun. 5, 2024).

773.001
Short Title
773.002
Purpose
773.003
Definitions
773.004
Vehicles and Personnel Excluded from Chapter
773.006
Fund for Emergency Medical Services, Trauma Facilities, and Trauma Care Systems
773.007
Supervision of Emergency Prehospital Care
773.008
Consent for Emergency Care
773.009
Limitation on Civil Liability
773.011
Subscription Programs
773.012
Advisory Council
773.013
Peer Assistance Program
773.014
Administration of Epinephrine by Emergency Medical Services Personnel
773.015
Identification of Certain Patients Receiving Emergency Prehospital Care
773.016
Duties of Emergency Medical Services Personnel
773.017
Use of Certain External Motor Vehicle Markings or Features Prohibited
773.021
State Plan
773.022
Service Delivery Areas
773.023
Area Plans
773.024
Federal Programs
773.025
Accessibility of Training
773.041
License or Certificate Required
773.042
Basic Life-support Emergency Medical Services Provider Qualifications
773.0043
Fire Fighter Exemption for Certain Patients
773.043
Advanced Life-support Emergency Medical Services Provider Qualifications
773.044
Mobile Intensive-care Provider Qualifications
773.0045
Temporary Exemptions for Emergency Medical Services Personnel Practicing in Rural Area
773.045
Specialized Emergency Medical Services Provider Qualifications
773.046
Emergency Care Attendant Qualifications
773.047
Emergency Medical Technician Qualifications
773.048
Advanced Emergency Medical Technician Qualifications
773.049
Emergency Medical Technician--paramedic Qualifications
773.050
Minimum Standards
773.051
Municipal Regulation
773.052
Variances
773.054
Applications for Personnel Certification and Training Program Approval
773.055
Certification of Emergency Medical Services Personnel
773.056
Approval of Training Programs
773.057
Emergency Medical Services Providers License
773.058
Volunteers Exempt from Fees
773.059
Late Recertification
773.060
Disposition of Funds
773.061
Disciplinary Actions
773.062
Emergency Suspension
773.063
Civil Penalty
773.064
Criminal Penalties
773.065
Administrative Penalty
773.066
Assessment of Administrative Penalty
773.067
Payment of Administrative Penalty
773.069
Recovery of Administrative Penalty by Attorney General
773.070
Denial of Certification or Licensure for Failure to Provide Certain Criminal History Record Information
773.071
Fees
773.091
Confidential Communications
773.092
Exceptions
773.093
Consent
773.094
Injunction
773.095
Records and Proceedings Confidential
773.096
Immunity for Committee Members
773.111
Legislative Findings
773.112
Rules
773.113
Duties of Department
773.114
System Requirements
773.115
Trauma Facilities
773.116
Fees
773.117
Denial, Suspension, or Revocation of Designation
773.119
Grant Program
773.120
Acceptance of Gifts
773.122
Payments from the Accounts
773.123
Control of Expenditures from Accounts
773.124
Loss of Funding Eligibility
773.141
Definitions
773.142
Application of Subchapter
773.143
Provision of Medical Information
773.144
Training Programs
773.0145
Possession and Administration of Epinephrine by Certain Entities
773.145
Medical Information
773.146
Limitation on Civil Liability
773.147
Fees
773.171
Emergency Medical Services for Children Program
773.173
Rules
773.201
Legislative Intent
773.202
Definitions
773.203
Stroke Committee
773.204
Duties of Stroke Committee
773.205
Rules
773.251
Definitions
773.252
Establishment of Program
773.253
Rules
773.254
Application by Emergency Medical Services Provider
773.255
Educational Curriculum
773.256
Administrative Support
773.257
Grants
773.0415
Limitation on Information Required for Certificate Renewal
773.0495
Licensed Paramedic Qualifications
773.0496
Scope of Emergency Medical Technician-paramedic and Licensed Paramedic Duties
773.0505
Rules Regarding Advertising or Competitive Bidding
773.0551
Disease Prevention and Preparedness Information on Certification of Emergency Medical Services Personnel
773.0571
Requirements for Provider License
773.0572
Provisional Licenses
773.0573
Letter of Approval from Local Governmental Entity
773.0581
Providers Exempt from Fees
773.0605
Complaints and Investigations
773.0611
Inspections
773.0612
Access to Records
773.0613
Information Report to Department
773.0614
Authority to Revoke, Suspend, Disqualify For, or Deny Certification of Emergency Medical Services Personnel for Certain Criminal Offenses
773.0615
Factors Considered in Suspension, Revocation, or Denial of Certificate
773.0616
Proceedings Governed by Administrative Procedure Act
773.0617
Notice and Review of Suspension, Revocation, Disqualification For, or Denial of Certification
773.1141
Information, Guidelines, and Protocols Related to Certain Patient Transfers and Related Services
773.1151
Use of Telemedicine Medical Service by Certain Trauma Facilities
773.05711
Additional Emergency Medical Services Provider License Requirements
773.05712
Administrator of Record
773.05713
Report to Legislature
773.05715
Physical Location Required
773.05716
Necessary Equipment
773.06141
Suspension, Revocation, or Denial of Emergency Medical Services Provider License

Accessed:
Jun. 5, 2024

§ 773.0145’s source at texas​.gov