Colorado Governor Ritter Signs Bill To Help Kids With Food Allergies

May 14, 2009 -- In honor of National Food Allergy Awareness Week, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter today signed into law a bill that will help teachers and parents better respond to students with severe food allergies. Senate Bill 226, sponsored by Sen. Paula Sandoval and Rep. Sara Gagliardi, will help schools provide quicker responses to incidents of anaphylaxis and other food allergy emergencies.

About 84 percent of Colorado schools enroll children with a known food allergy, and the numbers are increasing. "As the number of students with food allergies continues to grow, we must help teachers and parents create safe, responsive school environments," Gov. Ritter said. "This measure takes the appropriate steps to ensure every child feels safe."

Senate Bill 226 establishes the "Colorado School Children's Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Management Policy Act." The act requires the Colorado Department of Education and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to work together to develop a statewide policy for the management of food allergies among public school students by Jan. 1. School districts will be required to:

* Notify parents annually about their policy regarding student food allergies;
* Encourage parents to give schools detailed information about their child's allergies;
* Create strategies to reduce a students' risk of exposure to allergens;
* Identify staff that should be trained in responding to an allergic reaction;
* Ensure staff will be able to access medicine should a child suffer anaphylaxis.

"There is nothing more important than protecting our kids," Sen. Sandoval said. "Food allergies are increasing nationwide, and we must do what we can to make sure these kids have safe environments around them. I am happy to see this bill signed into law today to make sure there are policies and plans in place in our schools to treat and protect kids who are dealing with food allergies."

"Food allergies are becoming increasingly common. That is why it is essential to prepare our public schools to deal with what can be very serious situations," Rep. Gagliardi said. "In many cases, if a student has an allergic reaction, knowing how to administer the proper care fast can be the difference between life and death for our kids."

Click here for a list of 2009 legislative action by Gov. Ritter

Source: Colorado Governor