The House and Senate have approved legislation to expand access to epinephrine auto-injectors (epi-pens) to treat life-threatening allergic reactions, honoring Annie LeGere, a young Elmhurst girl who died in August 2015.
House Bill 4462 would allow state police and other law enforcement agencies to conduct training programs for officers on how to recognize and respond to anaphylaxis, including administration of an epinephrine auto-injector.
Last August, 13-year-old Annie suffered a very severe allergic reaction and unfortunately, epinephrine was not available to be administered to save her.
Annie’s mother, Shelly LeGere, came to Springfield April 5 to testify before the Senate Public Health Committee on behalf of the legislation. She was also present in the Senate May 11 when the bill passed by a unanimous vote.
Shelly LeGere has also created The Annie LeGere Foundation to increase awareness of life-threatening allergic reactions and equip first-responder emergency vehicles, schools and as many other public settings as possible with epinephrine auto-injectors. Information about The Annie LeGere Foundation is available at www.amazingannie.org.
Approved by a unanimous vote of the House of Representatives on April 19 and by a unanimous vote of the Senate on May 11, House Bill 4462 now moves to the Governor’s desk for consideration.