New York Governor Kathy Hochul recently signed two important pieces of legislation into law, both of which will go a long way toward protecting the community from anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening reaction to a food, drug, insect venom, or environmental substance such as latex.
The first, championed by John, Lucia, and Nancy Zaremba, amends state public health law to require functional epinephrine auto-injector devices be made available in places of public assembly and that at least one employee or volunteer be trained in its proper operation and use and be present at each facility function.
The idea for the legislation — sponsored by State Senator Andrew Gounardes, Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal, and members of the New York State Legislature — was first conceived by Lucia Zaremba, a 15-year-old high school student from Brooklyn at the time, who brought the idea to Sen Gounardes’ attention after seeing how epinephrine administered by her mother at Yankee Stadium saved her younger brother’s life during an anaphylactic episode.
The second, a law championed by the Love for Giovanni Foundation, expands current law to allow emergency responders — including police, firefighters, and EMTs — from locations outside New York City to carry and administer epinephrine in an anaphylactic emergency.
The legislation was named for Giovanni Cipriano, a 14-year-old boy who died from anaphylaxis in 2013 after he was exposed to peanuts and did not receive epinephrine in time to save his life. Ever since, his mother, Georgina Cornago, has tirelessly advocated for the food allergy community.
Congratulations to all involved!
- Two Bills Signed Into Law, Thank you Governor Hochul! — Allergy Advocates NY
- Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal Celebrates Signing of Legislation to Expand Access to Epinephrine Auto-Injectors — Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal
- In Memory of Giovanni Cipriano — FAACT
- A.2885 — NYS Assembly
- A.7961 — NYS Assembly
