GOV. MALLOY COMMEMORATES ENACTMENT OF NEW LAW ON LIFE-SAVING ALLERGY TREATMENTS
IN SCHOOLS
Earlier this week, Governor Dannel P. Malloy held a bill signing ceremony
for a new state law that allows trained school employees to administer
the life-saving treatment epinephrine (commonly known as “EpiPens”)
for emergency first aid to any students who may experience a severe allergic
reaction and were not previously known to have serious allergies. He was
joined at Weston High School by state Public Health Commissioner Jewel
Mullen, state Education Commissioner Stefan Pryor, lawmakers and advocates.
“Many students suffer from severe allergies, and it can be difficult
for families – particularly those of limited resources – to
know the severity of a student’s allergies before an attack occurs,”
said Governor Malloy. “It is common sense public policy to ensure
that any student suffering a life-threatening allergic reaction at school
can receive emergency first aid. This legislation sets in motion programs
at Connecticut schools that are meant to save lives.”
The legislation requires schools to designate and train qualified school
employees to administer emergency epinephrine in cartridge injectors to
any student having a first time allergic reaction when the school nurse
is absent or unavailable. It further requires the State Board of Education
(SDE) to adopt regulations concerning the conditions and procedures for
the storage and administration of epinephrine by school personnel.
“Over the past three and a half years, we have seen historic investment
in our education system, school safety, and student services — this
is another important step in protecting the health and well-being of our
young people,” said Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman. “I commend Governor
Malloy and the General Assembly for ensuring Connecticut schools have
the tools and training necessary to assist students in the case of a health
emergency.”
“An EpiPen is a life-saving device that should be available to any
student in need of emergency first aid for a life threating allergic reaction,”
Commissioner of Education Stefan Pryor said. “This legislation increases
health and safety measures in Connecticut’s public schools to protect
students while they are in our care. It establishes the requirements for
policies and procedures to follow when a student suffers a life-threatening
allergic reaction, even if he or she has never experienced one before.
With Governor Malloy’s signing of this bill, parents and students
can be assured that in addition to school nurses, teachers, and other
qualified school personnel will have the training and legal authority
necessary to act in a medical emergency."
Public Act 14-176, An Act Concerning the Storage and Administration of Epinephrine at Public Schools, took effect July 1. Prior to the passage of this law, Connecticut laws made provisions for the administration of medication in schools by unlicensed personnel to only students who had prior written authorization.
Public Act 14-176, An Act Concerning the Storage and Administration of Epinephrine at Public Schools, took effect July 1. Prior to the passage of this law, Connecticut laws made provisions for the administration of medication in schools by unlicensed personnel to only students who had prior written authorization.
"Thousands of Connecticut children have severe allergies that can
send them into anaphylactic shock – and countless more have never
been diagnosed,” said State Representative Andy Fleischmann, co-chair
of the Education Committee. “This new law will help all of these
children by making EpiPens – the key first response to a strong
allergic reaction – far more widely available in our schools and
on our playing fields. It will also protect children by ensuring more
adults are trained, ready and able to administer epinephrine. In short,
it’s a great step forward for the health and safety of Connecticut
children and their families.”
“All children need access to lifesaving epinephrine during a severe
allergic reaction at school,” said Deputy House Speaker Kevin Ryan,
(D-Montville). “I am very pleased to see Connecticut join 26 other
states with similar requirements to protect children.”
The legislation also requires the Departments of Education and Public Health
to jointly develop, in consultation with the School Nurse Advisory Council,
an annual training program regarding emergency first aid to students who
experience allergic reactions by December 2014.