Whip Hoyer, Rep. Roe Introduce Bipartisan Bill for School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Injectors

WASHINGTON D.C. – Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) and Rep. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-TN) introduced the School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act today, which incentivizes states to adopt policies that increase access to epinephrine as part of an effort to protect students who are at a high risk of fatal food-induced anaphylaxis.

This bill would encourage states to maintain a supply of epinephrine injectors that have been prescribed by a licensed physician and permit trained school personnel to be authorized to administer epinephrine to a student having an anaphylactic reaction. This bill also encourages states to adopt Good Samaritan policies ensuring school employees are not liable for administering an epinephrine injector to any student believed to be having an anaphylactic reaction.

“As the grandfather of a child with a severe food allergy, this is an issue very near and dear to my heart,” said Whip Hoyer. “This important legislation will encourage all schools and school personnel to be prepared in the event of an emergency allergic reaction and have the epinephrine injectors on hand that can save a child’s life. When it comes to treating food allergies, preparation is the best medicine. I thank my colleague Rep. Phil Roe for all of his work on this bipartisan measure.”

“I am pleased to introduce the School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act because it could save a life. According to the Food and Allergy Initiative conducted by Northwestern University and Children’s Memorial Hospital, nearly six million children in the United States have food allergies. A systemic allergic reaction can kill within minutes,” said Rep. Roe. “To prevent a fatal outcome, we need to make epinephrine pens available in our schools for sudden emergencies. You can never be too careful when it comes to saving a life of a child. I want to thank Rep. Steny Hoyer for his support of this important bipartisan legislation introduced in the House.”

This legislation has the endorsement of the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network; the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology; the American Academy of Pediatrics; and the National Association of School Nurses.