Sen. Bill Mescher, R-Pinopolis and the bill's sponsor, said he has a grandson with asthma who has to keep his medication in a locked cabinet while at school.

"These children know when they need the medication. They carry it with them everywhere else," Mescher said.

But Sen. Robert Hayes, R-Rock Hill, said other issues still need to be addressed, including what types of asthma medication students should be allowed to carry and how old or mature students should be before allowing them to carry medication.

"This would let the districts have a little discretion," Hayes said.

---

On the Net:

Asthma inhaler bill: http://www.scstatehouse.net/sess115-2003-2004/bills/604.htm