Asthma
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by episodic symptoms of wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, and chest tightness. Airflow can become obstructed by way of airway inflammation, muscle tightening around the airways, and possible mucus production. Asthma affects 7% or over 15,000 children in Montana and 12% or approximately 104,000 adults. Twenty-seven percent of children with asthma report symptoms indicating their asthma is uncontrolled and one in three report having one or more asthma attacks in the last 12 months. School-aged children spend most of their day in school and asthma can be triggered by any number of environmental factors found there leading to constriction of the airways. Because of this, asthma is one of the most common reasons for absences among school aged children.
Tools for Schools
Managing Asthma in School Guides
- Managing Asthma: A Guide for Schools (National Institutes of Health)
- Managing Asthma in the School Environment (EPA)
Forms and Checklists
- Montana Authorization Form to Possess or Self-Administer Asthma, Severe Allergy, or Anaphylaxis Medication
For Montana K-12 students to possess or self-administer asthma, severe allergy, or anaphylaxis medication while in school, while at a school sponsored activity, while under the supervision of school personnel, before or after normal school activities, or while in transit to or from school or school-sponsored activities, this form must be fully completed - Checklist for School Districts Addressing the Needs of Students with Asthma
Developed by the American Association of School Administrators, this checklist was developed to assist schools in the development of their policies and procedures relating to care of students with asthma.
Stock Albuterol in Schools
The amendment to MCA 20-5-421, passed by the 69th Montana Legislature in 2025, authorizes public and private K-12 schools to maintain a supply of stock Albuterol and administer Albuterol to anyone believed in good faith to be experiencing respiratory distress in the school setting or at a school sponsored event. The law is effective July 1, 2025.
Guidance and Resources
- Stock Albuterol in Schools Montana Law
- Stock Albuterol in Schools Fact Sheet
- Stock Albuterol in Montana- Frequently Ask Questions
- Guide to Stock Albuterol in Montana Schools (Under Development)
School Reporting Platform
As required by law, schools choosing to stock Albuterol must report all instances of their stock Albuterol use to the MT DPHHS within 3 days. Schools choosing to stock Albuterol must also complete a brief annual report summarizing instances of stock Albuterol use and outcomes.
Single Incident Report- (The reporting platform is under development)
Annual Summary Report- (The reporting platform is under development)
Montana Asthma Control Program
The Montana Asthma Control Program (MACP) at the Montana Department of Public Health and Human services is committed to improving the quality of life for all Montanans with asthma. The MACP has designed interventions that assist in creating asthma friendly spaces and supporting the unique needs of persons with asthma.
- DPHHS: School Health Mini-Grants
The School Health Mini-Grant Program provides grants in the amount of $1,000 to school nurses, asthma and diabetes educators, school counselors, and administrators working in K-12 schools throughout Montana. Grants support applicants in their efforts to create safe and healthy learning environments for students and school staff. - Asthma Trainings Online and In-Person
The Montana Asthma Control Program has developed trainings for school staff and childcare providers on how create asthma friendly learning environments and assist students with asthma management and emergency response.
Montana Data
- Allergy and Asthma Network
- American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology
- American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology
- American Lung Association
- Association of Asthma Educators
- Children's Health Alliance of Wisconsin: Asthma Medication Assistance Programs
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
- United States Environmental Protection Agency
Montana Code Annotated 20-5-420: Self-administration or possession of asthma, severe allergy, or anaphylaxis medication
This law allows student to posses and self-administer asthma, severe allergy, and anaphylaxis medication while in school with authorization from a healthcare provider and parent/legal guardian.
Stock Albuterol in Schools: Authorize emergency use of Albuterol in a school setting
The amendment to MCA 20-5-421, passed by the 69th Montana Legislature in 2025, authorizes public and private K-12 schools to maintain a supply of stock Albuterol and administer Albuterol to anyone believed in good faith to be experiencing respiratory distress in the school setting or at a school sponsored event.
DPHHS: School Administrative Rules- ARM 37.111.801
The purpose of the administrative rule section 37.111.8 is to protect the health of individuals (students, staff and visitors) working in or attending schools in the State of Montana. On Jan. 17, 2020, the Department of Public Health (DPHHS) officially adopted revisions to ARm 77.111.801. DPHHS adopted new Indoor Air Quality and Outdoor Air Quality sections and subsequent rules to ensure schools are taking reasonable steps to provide clean indoor air while protecting students and staff from poor outdoor air quality to the best of their ability. The new rule update also requires schools to include protocols for responding to emergencies resulting from chronic disease exacerbations, such as asthma attacks.
