New York legislator expands access to epinephrine autoinjectors

Key takeaways:

• More public venues will be required to carry epinephrine autoinjectors.
• Gio’s Law aims to equip police and firefighters in all New York counties with epinephrine and the training to use it.

A New York State Assemblymember celebrated the signing of two of her new bills into law that aim to expand epinephrine autoinjector accessibility across the state.

“The signing of my bills into law expands access to epinephrine autoinjectors in New York State, yet another step forward in our mission to protect those with life-threatening allergies,” Linda B. Rosenthal (D/WF-Manhattan) told Healio.

“Epinephrine is a lifesaving tool, but only when it is quickly available,” Rosenthal continued. “Over the years, I have worked hard to pass laws expanding allergy awareness in restaurants and training first responders and schoolteachers on the use of epinephrine autoinjectors, but our work is not finished.”

The first bill, AB 2885, requires public venues with a capacity of 1,000 people or more — such as ballparks, concert halls, theaters and stadiums — to have epinephrine autoinjectors on site with at least one person trained on administration.

The corresponding bill, SB 1078A, was sponsored in the New York State Senate by Andrew Gounardes (D-26) and was inspired by the story of Brooklyn high school student Lucia Zaremba and his brother, John, who has serious food allergies.

“Food allergy reactions can occur at any time and at any place, even to those who have not previously experienced an allergic reaction, and it’s important that as many people as possible are trained to respond,” Rosenthal said.

The second bill, AB 7961, is an act to amend Gio’s Law. Rosenthal previously passed this law in 2019 to have police and firefighters carry and administer epinephrine. It was named in memory of Giovanni Cipriano, who passed away from anaphylaxis at age 14 years.

The law enables first responders to recognize and treat anaphylaxis in case emergency medical services have not yet arrived to a scene. The amendment offers clarification that ensures police and firefighters outside of New York City, specifically in Nassau and Suffolk counties and other counties with populations greater than 1 million people, can carry epinephrine autoinjector devices. Its corresponding bill, SB 07617, was sponsored in the New York State Senate by Julia Salazar (D-18).

“Under my new laws, more police officers and firefighters will be equipped to intervene during someone’s allergic reaction, and large public venues, like sports stadiums and concert halls, will have epinephrine auto-injectors on hand and trained staff ready to step in and save a life if an emergency occurs,” Rosenthal said.

Reference:

• New York State Assembly Bill No. A.2885. https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?default_fld=&leg_video=&bn=A02885&term=&Summary=Y&Memo=Y&Text=Y. Accessed Dec. 4, 2024.
• New York State Assembly Bill No. A.7961. https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?default_fld=&leg_video=&bn=A07961&term=&Summary=Y&Memo=Y&Text=Y. Accessed Dec. 4, 2024.