On July 31, the Governor signed legislation that encourages medical professionals’ participation in the initiative to equip police officers with epinephrine auto-injectors (also known as EpiPens) for allergy-related emergencies.
Senate Bill 2226 protects prescribing medical authorities from civil or professional liability when a police officer delivers an epinephrine auto-injection during an allergy-related emergency.
The bill also clarifies protection already afforded to police officers. It specifies that a physician, physician’s assistant or advanced practice registered nurse with prescriptive authority who provides a prescription or standing order for epinephrine for an Illinois police department will not be subject to civil or professional liability for law enforcement’s misuse of the medication.
The Annie LeGere Law, effective in January 2017, allows for Illinois police officers to carry and administer epinephrine auto-injectors on duty as an emergency measure to reverse life-threatening allergic reactions following proper training and procedural requirements. The law was inspired by Annie LeGere, a 13-year-old from Elmhurst who died from a fatal allergic reaction that could have been prevented with epinephrine.