Governor
Signs Hannon Bill Expanding Access to Emergency Medical Treatment in Schools
Albany,
NY (October 30, 2014)
Governor
Andrew Cuomo today signed legislation that will expand access to potentially
lifesaving medication for students and school personnel in the event of an
emergency. The new laws include provisions that will allow schools to
administer epi-pens to students without prescriptions in emergency situations
and that will allow students diagnosed with asthma, allergies and/or diabetes
to self-administer prescribed medical treatments.
“These
commonsense laws eliminate barriers that prevented students from having quick
access to medication – even in the event of an emergency,” Governor Cuomo said.
“I thank the sponsors of this legislation, which will help save lives and
prevent avoidable tragedies.”
One
new law, (S.7262-A/A.7791-A), authorizes schools to possess and administer
auto-injectable epinephrine, commonly known as epi-pens, in an emergency
situation, even if the recipient of such treatment does not have a
prescription.
Epinephrine
is a vital medication in treating life-threatening allergic reactions. This law
ensures that school districts will be authorized to maintain epi-pens on-site,
and that officials other than nurses will be authorized to possess and
administer doses of the medication in emergency situations, whether or not the
student has a prescription on file. Emergency use of auto-injectable
epinephrine will be permitted only if the school employee administering the
epinephrine has completed appropriate training approved by the Department of Health
on how to use to on-site epinephrine auto-injectors.
Senator
Kemp Hannon said, “The timely administration of epinephrine to a child in
anaphylactic shock could mean the difference between life and death. By
authorizing schools to maintain and their employees to possess and administer
auto-injectable epinephrine without a prescription, in the event of an
emergency, this long overdue law will equip schools with the ability to assist
a child suffering from a life-threatening allergic response.”
Assemblyman
Thomas Abinanti said, “More and more kids need special medications and devices
which are of no use if they’re not readily available at all times. It makes
sense to train more school personnel to help kids with their prescribed devices
in an emergency. This common sense measure ensures that students with
allergies, asthma and diabetes can carry and use epi-pens, inhalers and other
prescribed medications and devices when they need them in school. It rightfully
authorizes non-medical but trained school personnel to administer the
prescribed medications in an emergency.”