Requires epinephrine devices for anaphylaxis and staff trained to use them at child day care centers

Showing the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.

• Democratic9
• Republican2

This bill has cosponsors from more than one party.

Shown in neutral colors by design; Agora is non-partisan.

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Andrew Gounardes says this is needed

Under Elijah's Law, enacted in 2019, the New York State Office of Chil- dren and Family Services (OCFS) was directed to create an anaphylactic policy to be implemented by child care providers statewide. The law, which built upon existing requirements for school districts, requires child care providers to have procedures in place to respond to allergic reactions and anaphylaxis, have training programs available for staff and to communicate with families about allergy protocols. The law was named after Elijah-Alavi Silvera, a three-year-old boy who died of an allergic reaction to food provided at his day care facility. Despite the facility being notified of Elijah's severe dairy allergy, the lack of clear guidance and protocols allowed this tragic death to occur. Since the law's passage, OCFS has developed guidance for child care providers to follow, but more must be done. This bill would expand the law to include the requirement that at least one trained staff member be present at all times when children are in the facility and would ensure that any training courses include information on how to recognize signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction, the proper storage and use of epinephrine devices and the appropriate dosage for infants, toddlers, children and adults. Further, the bill would require child care provid- ers to maintain an incident log of allergy-related illnesses, injuries and epinephrine administrations and to quickly communicate any such occurrence to a child's parent or guardian. Together, these changes will ensure that Elijah's Law remains effective at protecting children from often preventable allergic reactions.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.