Healthcare

Idaho's H 531 amends school medication policies to improve access to epinephrine for students with severe allergies. It allows students to self-administer epinephrine auto-injectors and requires schools to maintain stock supplies for emergency use by trained staff. The bill mandates staff training on recognizing allergic reactions, proper storage/administration, and reporting incidents. It also provides legal protection for schools and staff acting reasonably during emergencies, while requiring prescriptions for student-specific use. This directly affects students with life-threatening allergies, school nurses, and designated school personnel.

H 528 allows Idaho patients to use their own blood or blood from a donor they specifically choose (a "directed donor") for transfusions, provided the blood is collected by a federally compliant blood establishment. Healthcare providers cannot block this option unless the blood use would be unsafe, time-sensitive, or for an emergency. The bill also shields providers from liability for injuries from using this blood, unless their gross negligence caused harm. This law, effective July 1, 2026, does not override federal blood donation rules.