New York’s Governor Andrew Cuomo recently signed legislation that allows school bus drivers (and others employed by private firms providing services to schools) to administer epinephrine using an auto-injector, such as an EpiPen, to a child experiencing anaphylaxis shock, according to a press release. Earlier this summer, the New York State Legislature passed the bill, which is sponsored by Assemblyman David Buchwald of State Assembly 93rd District in Westchester County. With Governor Cuomo’s signature, the bill will soon become law.
While school district employees are allowed to administer the life-saving epinephrine injection, until Assemblyman Buchwald’s legislation was approved, employees of school bus firms and other school service providers were not.
“I thank the Governor for signing this legislation and urge the New York State Health Commissioner to move quickly to issue any rule or regulations necessary for the timely implementation of this act,” said Assemblyman Buchwald in the press release. “This legislation delivers vitally important protection to our youngsters who have severe allergies.”
Food allergies affect almost 6 percent of children in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These and other allergies such as bee stings can cause anaphylaxis, during which the immune system releases chemicals that can cause a person to go into shock with a sudden drop in blood pressure and the narrowing of airways which blocks breathing, according to the Mayo Clinic. Using an epinephrine auto-injector immediately can keep anaphylaxis from worsening and can save someone’s life.
The legislation covers a big loophole in transporting students via school bus, according to Jon Terry, founder of the Allergy Advocates Association in an earlier press release. Though it remains important that students who have severe allergies carry and know how to administer their own epinephrine auto-injectors.
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