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.”