Republican State Sen. Bob Huff says some kids may not even know they have a food allergy until they have an extreme reaction. He says his bill would insure that schools have the epinephrine injectors they need to respond quickly.
“It’s critical that we have something around our kids something that allows them to have a better chance of surviving when they had no idea that they had a condition in the first place,” says Huff.
Supporters say having “epi-pens” at school will also guard against a kid who may forget his or her injector.
But, Democratic Sen. Ben Hueso says to avoid liability, SB 1266 should only allow trained medical personal to administer injections.
“I’m very concerned about giving people who are not qualified to make a diagnosis that responsibility,” says Hueso.
The Senate Health Committee will now take up the legislation.
