Andrew Powell
The Senate Rules Committee unanimously passed a measure Monday that seeks to improve the safety and preparedness of public and charter schools when responding to medical emergencies like anaphylaxis.
Orlando Democratic Sen. Carlos Smith presented the bill (SB 1514) that is focused on ensuring school personnel are trained to recognize the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis and administer epinephrine during emergencies that happen on school campuses.
“Students with life-threatening allergies face significant challenges in school settings,” Smith said. “Anaphylaxis for example, is a severe life-threatening allergic reaction which can occur rapidly and can be fatal if not treated immediately, and it’s typically triggered by food allergens, insect stings, medications, even latex.”
Schools would be required to have student emergency action plans accessible at all times during school activities with the aim to proactively manage allergic reactions, especially during extracurricular programs, athletic events, school dances, and before- and after-school programs.
“According to the Florida Department of Health, approximately 76,000 students in Florida have these types of life-threatening allergies,” Smith said. “For these students, the prompt use of an epinephrine auto injector can be lifesaving.”
The State Board of Education would be required to consult with the Department of Health to adopt rules needed to implement the legislation if it passes, including an approved training curriculum for staff.
“Under the bill, both traditional and charter public schools in K-8 will be required to be ready and able to implement emergency action plans for students with allergies at all times, while the student is on school grounds,” Smith said. “It requires an adequate number of school personnel to undergo critical, but simple and straightforward training on the administration of emergency epinephrine, or EpiPens.”
Smith added that free training for anaphylactic events already exists and should not have a large fiscal impact on the state budget.
The bill will now move to the Senate Floor.
