Bill 20: An Act To Protect Pupils With Asthma (Ryan's Law)

The Provincial government recently passed new legislation addressing the emergency health needs of students with asthma. Bill 20, Ryan's Law (Ensuring Asthma Friendly Schools), 2015, received Royal Assent on May 5, 2015, and is now in force.

Ryan's Law is similar to Sabrina's Law, which addresses the health needs of students who suffer from anaphylactic allergies. It requires school boards to do the following:

1. create an asthma policy addressing strategies to reduce student exposure to asthma triggers;
2. develop a communication plan;
3. provide training for staff in direct contact with students to be able to recognize the symptoms of asthma and to assist to manage exacerbating factors;