EPIPENS MAY BE REQUIRED IN SCHOOLS TO PROTECT CHILDREN WITH ALLERGIES

By Lori Abbott, California News Service

April 7, 2014 (Sacramento) - An EpiPen can be a lifesaver for someone with a severe allergic reaction. That's why a state lawmaker wants them available in all public schools. Senator Bob Huff's bill (SB 1266) passed the Senate Education Committee last week and now heads to the Senate Health Committee. The bill would require school districts to give the epinephrine auto-injectors, known as EpiPens, to trained school personnel to use in emergencies.

Referring to those prone to allergic reactions, Huff said, "It's estimated that nearly 6 million of these people are children under the age of 18, which is about two in every classroom. Approximately about 25 percent of first-time allergic reactions that require epinephrine happen at school."

Current state law allows school districts to stock epinephrine, but it isn't required. Opponents say the legislation would allow non-medically trained personnel to make diagnoses. The California Teachers Association, the California School Employees Association and the California Federation of Teachers all oppose the bill.

Huff, however, said the number of children with anaphylaxis is skyrocketing and that epinephrine is the first line of treatment.

"It could happen when a person is stung by a bee, or ingests shellfish or nuts, or maybe even just comes in contact with latex," the lawmaker stated.

Six states across the country already have similar laws in effect.

See the bill (SB1266) at leginfo.ca.gov.