State Health Mandates

Annual Distribution of the Meningitis Fact Sheet

N.J.S.A. 18A:40-21.2 requires that school districts annually distribute the educational factsheet on meningitis to parents or guardians of students entering sixth grade. The fact sheet is also available to private schools, although they are encouraged, but not required, to distribute.

Annual Distribution of Fact Sheet on Human Papillomavirus (HPV) N.J.S.A. 18A:40-42 requires public schools to annually distribute a fact sheet about vaccination against HPV to parents or guardians of students in grade seven. Private schools are encouraged, but not required, to distribute the fact sheet.

Annual In-Service About Asthma

N.J.S.A. 18A:40-12.9 requires annual asthma education opportunities for teaching staff. The Pediatric/Adult Asthma Coalition of New Jersey (PACNJ) provides support to schools regarding asthma requirements. Additional information can be found on the PACNJ Twitter Page.

Annual In-Service About Blood Borne Pathogens

Federal Occupational Safety and Health regulations require annual in-service training for school staff. N.J.A.C. 8:61-2 (New Jersey Department of Health regulations) require public and nonpublic schools and daycare facilities to establish policies and procedures for handling blood and bodily fluids, and policies and procedures for post-exposure management. Schools and daycare facilities are required to provide training and appropriate supplies for all school personnel.

Epinephrine Training Protocols

N.J.S.A. 18A:40-12.6 requires that, in consultation with the board of education, school nurses designate and train school employees who volunteer to administer epinephrine when the school nurse is not physically present at the scene. Please note that licensed athletic trainers who volunteer are not in violation of the Athletic Training Licensure Act. Training Protocols for the Emergency Administration of Epinephrine are available, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:40-12.3–12.6.

Immunization Requirements for School-Age Youth

School districts are required to annually review the immunization records of all students, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:16-2.2(a), and it is the responsibility of the certified school nurse to review all immunization records under N.J.A.C. 6A:16-2.3(b)3v. The NJDOE provided additional information to schools through Broadcast memos on August 29, 2017 regarding enrollment considerations for homeless students and enrollment considerations for immigrant students.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides additional information about vaccines and recommended schedules.

Janet’s Law

N.J.S.A. 18A:40-41a through 41c, in alignment with P.L. 2012, c.51, requires public and nonpublic schools to have automated external defibrillators and to establish emergency action plans for responding to sudden cardiac events.

For further guidance regarding Janet’s Law, access the Frequently Asked Questions document under “Sudden Cardiac Arrest.”

Medical Marijuana Administration in Schools

Pursuant to P.L. 2015, c.158, a recent amendment to the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act (P.L. 2009, c.307), school officials must develop policies concerning the use and administration of medical marijuana in schools.

The NJDOE provided additional information to schools on May 24, 2016 through a Broadcast memo.

NJ FamilyCare

Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:16-2.2(j), school districts are required to make information accessible regarding the NJ Family Care Program for students who are knowingly without medical coverage.

Scholastic Student-Athlete Safety Act

The Scholastic Student-Athlete Safety Act (P.L. 2013, c.71) was signed into law to establish measures to ensure the health of student athletes in public and nonpublic schools.

For assistance regarding the implementation of the Scholastic Student-Athlete Safety Act, please access the frequently asked questions document.

Additionally, see both the Scholastic Student-Athlete Safety Act Required Materials Broadcast memo, as well as the Scholastic Student-Athlete Safety Act memo, for more information.

School Physician

Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:40-1.1, the appointed school physician, as a requirement of his or her contract, must complete the Student-Athlete Cardiac Screening professional development module and provide a copy of the certificate to the school.

Student-Athlete Forms

For all schools participating in an interscholastic sports, intramural sports, or cheerleading program the following documents are to be distributed to every student-athlete and cheerleader in any grade level:

• Sports-Related Eye Injuries Fact Sheet for Parents

• Sudden Cardiac Death in Young Athletes Brochure*

• Opioid Use and Misuse Educational Fact Sheet*

• Sports-Related Concussion and Head Injury Fact Sheet*

Please note the three documents with asterisks (*) require a parent/guardian sign-off form. These forms, whether personally distributed or electronically uploaded, must be individually signed and uploaded. One generic signature for all documents will not be accepted. All documents may be found on the NJDOE’s Student-Athlete Forms webpage.

Add: All forms for sports must be completed or printed from the WHS Athletics Website: https://westfieldhs-ar.rschooltoday.com/

Tuberculosis (TB) Screening and Guidance

The New Jersey Department of Health posts three pertinent documents on their website regarding annual TB requirements, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:40-16 through 19. The documents can be found under the headings on the right-hand side of the page labeled “Schools” and “Frequently Asked Questions.”