Bill Text: HI HR57 | 2014 | Regular Session | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Epinephrine Auto-Injector; Widespread Availability and Use; Task Force

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 15-3)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-03-21 - The committee(s) on HLT recommend(s) that the measure be deferred. [HR57 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2014-HR57-Introduced.html

---

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	57
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING THE convening OF A TASK FORCE TO EXAMINE THE BENEFITS and risks OF WIDESPREAD AVAILABILITY AND DISTRIBUTION OF EPINEPHRINE AUTO-INJECTORS IN THE STATE FOR EMERGENCY TREATMENT.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, according to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, food allergies result in more than 300,000 ambulatory-care visits a year among children under the age of 18 and are the leading cause of anaphylaxis outside the hospital setting; and

 

     WHEREAS, exposure to common allergens, such as certain foods or insect stings, can result in anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially fatal allergic reaction that can be triggered within minutes; and

 

     WHEREAS, epinephrine auto-injectors, the most well-known of which are EpiPens, contain the medication epinephrine, which is the first line of emergency treatment for anaphylaxis; and

 

     WHEREAS, in the United States, Food Allergy Research & Education, a nonprofit advocacy group, reports that food allergies affect one in 13 children, or roughly two children in every classroom; and

 

     WHEREAS, the pervasiveness of potential occurrences of a serious allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis, necessitates that prompt emergency treatment be available in settings where allergen exposure is likely; and

 

     WHEREAS, in November 2013, President Barack Obama signed into law the School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act, which provides states with incentives to require elementary schools and secondary schools to maintain and permit school personnel to administer epinephrine at schools; and

WHEREAS, states, such as Virginia, Maryland, Nebraska, and Nevada, have laws that allow schools to keep and dispense epinephrine and shield persons who administer it in emergency situations from liability; and

 

WHEREAS, the availability and administration of epinephrine through epinephrine auto-injectors can mean the difference between life and death for individuals with severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-seventh Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2014, that the Department of Health is requested to convene a task force to examine the benefits and risks of widespread availability and distribution of epinephrine auto-injectors in the State for emergency treatment; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to examine:

 

(1)  The considerations involved in the widespread availability and distribution of epinephrine auto-injectors;

 

(2)  The legal issues, including immunity from liability, involved with the administration of epinephrine by trained personnel, first responders, or lay rescuers, and the training of such persons;

 

(3)  Whether the benefits of widespread availability and distribution of epinephrine auto-injectors outweigh the potential legal and health risks; and

 

(4)  Training and certification requirements for persons administering epinephrine using an epinephrine auto-injector; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force membership is requested to include:

 

(1)  The Director of Health, or the director's designee;

(2)  The Director of Labor and Industrial Relations, or the Director's designee;

 

(3)  The Superintendent of Education, or the Superintendent's designee;

 

(4)  The Attorney General, or the Attorney General's designee;

 

(5)  A representative from the Hawaii Association for Justice; and

 

(6)  Three individuals to be designated by the Director of Health, including one from the Department of Health Emergency Medical Services & Injury Prevention System Branch; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to submit a report of its findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2016; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Attorney General, Director of Health, Director of Labor and Industrial Relations, Superintendent of Education, and President of the Hawaii Association for Justice.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Epinephrine Auto-Injector; Widespread Availability and Use; Task Force