New Law Allows Schools Staff to Administer Epi-Pens

Gov. Pat Quinn signed a bill Wednesday that will allow trained school staff and volunteers to administer an emergency epinephrine injection if they believe a student is having an allergic reaction.

The bill expands on a 2011 law that gave school nurses the same ability, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Under the legislation, students will also be able to carry and administer their own epinephrine injections and asthma medication with their parents’ consent.

House Bill 5892 was an initiative of Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and was sponsored by State Representative Michelle Mussman (D-Schaumburg) and State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill). It allows properly trained school employees to administer an epinephrine injection, commonly known as epi-pen, when they believe a student, employee or school visitor is having an anaphylactic reaction.

“We want our schools in Illinois to be high-quality places of learning and that includes making sure our students are safe,” Quinn said in a press release. “In cases of severe allergic reactions, there is precious time to act and potentially save a life. This new law will provide more life-saving tools to protect all who attend, work in or visit Illinois’ schools.”

In a press release, Manar said with more and more kids being diagnosed with allergies to everything from peanuts to soy, quick access to medication could mean the difference between life and death.

The law takes effect Aug. 1.

Photo: Gov. Pat Quinn. Credit: File photo