Yesterday, Dave Greenspan, Representative of the Ohio Westlake district, introduced legislation that would incentivize schools to create training programs in food allergy for staff and students which would qualify for teachers to receive continuing education credits.
HB231, entitled the “Allison Rose Suhy Act”, would also require the Ohio Department of Education to create a list of organizations that offer free stock epinephrine programs for schools.
“Both the Ohio Department of Education and higher education agreed to do this on an annual basis. We want to get the word out that this product is available to be in your schools and cost them nothing to do it,” said Greenspan.
The text of the bill is available here.
Allison Rose Suhy was a student at Ohio University where she was studying to be a teacher. In November of 2017 while away at school, Allison took a bite of a donut that contained nuts and suffered an anaphylactic reaction that caused her airway to close. She was rushed to a local hospital, then airlifted to Columbus where she died four days later.
Allison’s family was determined that no other family would suffer the pain and grief they were feeling. They founded the Allison Rose Foundation to teach others about the dangers of food allergies. The foundation was instrumental in promoting the legislation.
Here is Fox Cleveland affiliate WJW-TV’s coverage:
- Local legislator proposes bill encouraging schools to create food allergy training — WJW-TV
- House Bill 231 — The Ohio State Legislature
Parents Launch Food Allergy Advocacy in Memory of Their Daughter
