New York State Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal championed a bill that would mandate EpiPens in large public venues across the state.
EpiPens are devices that deliver epinephrine, a life-saving medication used when someone is experiencing anaphylaxis, an allergy emergency that can cause death in under 15 minutes.
If passed, the legislation would require places of public assembly, including stadiums, gymnasiums, indoor and outdoor amphitheaters, concert halls and theaters to stock the health devices on hand, as well as mandating the training of staff in their use.
The idea for the bill came from Lucia Zaremba, a high school student at Poly Prep Country Day School who pushed for greater accessibility of EpiPens following an incident with her brother who suddenly went into anaphylactic shock after eating a steak in public without realizing he had developed allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, sesame seeds, legumes and red meat.
In light of the situation, Zaremba came up with the idea of installing EpiPens in major venues — similar to how Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) can already be found in these places — and pushed the idea to Senator Gounardes, who proceeded to introduce the legislation to State Senate.
“Families like Lucia's shouldn't have to live in fear every time they go out to dinner or an event,” said Gounardes. “Anaphylaxis can be deadly, and when Lucia told me her family's story, I knew we had to take action."
According to the CDC, food allergies are responsible for approximately 30,000 emergency department visits and 150–200 deaths each year, making the passing of the bill a crucial action, according to Zaremba.
“We must act to make it mandatory that places of public assembly have EpiPens available,” she said.
