Richardson Urges Colleagues to Support Life-Saving Glucagon Legislation

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Tracy Richardson (R-Marysville) today provided sponsor testimony on House Bill 511, bipartisan legislation that helps protect children with diabetes.

The bill allows Ohio schools and camps to have dosages of glucagon on hand for emergency situations. Glucagon is a hormone used to increase blood sugar levels in diabetics when they lose consciousness or do not respond to orally administered glucose.

“Current law makes it difficult for schools and camps to store and administer glucagon,” said Richardson. “This permissive bill will give our schools and camps the opportunity to protect children with diabetes and provide life-saving medication.”

H.B. 511 is modelled after a permissive Ohio law that allows schools and camps to have epinephrine auto-injectors (epi-pens) available for children with severe allergies. Schools and camps would develop their own protocols around the storage and administration or the glucagon in order to be eligible.

Under the bill, glucagon doses stored by schools and camps do not need to be prescribed to a certain individual. Nurses and other properly trained responders would have civil immunity if they administer the drug in an emergency.

“Under existing law, schools and camps are limited in how they may store and administer glucagon, an emergency medication for diabetics, leaving our children at risk, and placing school nurses in a moral dilemma” said State Rep. John Rogers (D-Mentor-on-the-Lake), who joint-sponsored H.B. 511.  “Our bill would empower schools and camps to take steps that could address life-threatening situations, adding an additional layer of protection to Ohio’s children living with diabetes.”

The American Camp Association, Central Ohio Diabetes Association, Lifecare Alliance, Ohio Education Association, Ohio Athletics Trainers’ Association, and parents of children with diabetes have expressed their support for the legislation.