Bill > HB222

This bill establishes comprehensive regulations for allergy prevention and emergency responses in child care facilities, with a particular focus on food-related allergies. The legislation, nicknamed "Elijah's Law", requires licensed child care providers to develop detailed allergy prevention and response policies by July 1, 2027, which must address building-wide and individual approaches to allergy management. The policy requirements include age-appropriate allergy education, staff protocols for managing allergies (such as creating individualized health plans), guidelines for children and parents in preventing and mitigating allergic reactions, and provisions for maintaining medical information confidentiality. Additionally, the bill updates terminology around epinephrine delivery devices, expanding the definition of "authorized entities" to include child care facilities and establishing requirements for storing and administering these devices. The bill also provides liability protections for entities and individuals who in good faith administer epinephrine devices during an emergency, and mandates that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education develop model allergy prevention policies by July 1, 2026, in consultation with professional associations.