The School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act was passed by the full Senate today, one day after clearing the Senate Health Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.
The legislation, which was passed by the House of Representatives in July, now heads to the President’s desk for signature into law. It provides incentives for states to adopt “stock” epinephrine laws that allow schools to keep doses of the lifesaving drug on-hand for use should a student shows signs of anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction. The legislation also encourages the adoption of “Good Samaritan” laws to shield those that administer the epinephrine from liability.
“For about 1 in every 13 of American children, school lunchtime or a classmate’s birthday party can risk exposure to foods that can cause a severe and life threatening reaction. But the fatal consequences of severe allergic reaction are preventable,” said Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), one of the legislation’s sponsors. “Today, the Senate voted to help ensure that schools across the country are prepared to help avoid such tragedies. I thank Senator Kirk [referring to Mark Kirk (R-IL)] for being my partner in this effort to ensure that we are taking every appropriate step to protect kids in their schools.”
We at SnackSafely.com look forward to the legislation being signed by President Obama and hope that it encourages individual states to move quickly to adopt the requisite stock epinephrine laws.
