Rauner Signs Revised 'Annie's Law' To Ensure Police Have EpiPens

ELMHURST, IL — Governor Bruce Rauner signed an amendment to a law Tuesday that's aimed at preventing deaths from allergic reactions, three years after an Elmhurst teenager died during a slumber party. Chicago Tribune reported the family of 13-year-old Annie LeGere joined Rauner at Elmhurst City Hall as the governor signed the amended law sponsored by Republican Illinois Sen. Chris Nybo. According to Nybo, the legislation now includes a provision protecting health care providers who issue epinephrine auto-injectors (EpiPens) or similar auto-injectors to law enforcement agencies from liability, unless a case is considered reckless, Chicago Tribune reported.

Why was this provision added? According to Chicago Tribune, the August 2016 signing of “Annie’s Law” allowed first responders to carry the medicine, but didn't include the newly added wording that now protects doctors and healthcare providers.

The amendment encourages medical professionals' participation in the initiative to equip police officers with epinephrine auto-injectors (EpiPens) for allergy-related emergencies. It specifies that a physician, physician's assistant or advanced practice registered nurse with prescriptive authority who provides a prescription or standing order for epinephrine for an Illinois police department will not be subject to civil or professional liability for law enforcement's misuse of the medication, according to Nybo's office.

Patch reported Annie died from brain injuries resulting from anaphylactic shock after she suffered a severe allergic reaction at a sleepover at a friend's house in August 2015. Police were first on the scene within minutes, but were unable to render the needed aid because the officers weren't authorized to carry and administer epinephrine auto-injectors.

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• Governor Rauner To Sign Bill In Elmhurst
• Elmhurst mother honors daughter with support of Sen. Nybo's epinephrine bill
• Annie LeGere EpiPen Bill Signed into Law

Patch reported Annie's mom, Shelly LeGere, worked with Sen. Chris Nybo to get the legislation approved.

"Had epinephrine been available at the time that she was unable to breathe, the circumstances may be different," she told the Senate Public Health Committee in Springfield during an April 2016 hearing on the bill (now law).

Shelly LeGere founded The Annie LeGere Foundation, aimed at increasing awareness of life-threatening allergic reactions, and equipping first-responder emergency vehicles, schools and as many other public settings as possible with epinephrine auto-injectors.

Information about The Annie LeGere Foundation is available at www.amazingannie.org

Image via Gov. Rauner's office.