FARE Endorses California Bill A.B. 1651- The Muñoz SAFE ACT to Ensure Epinephrine Access in Schools
Bill Would Mean Easier Access to Epinephrine Auto-Injectors to Prevent Unnecessary Deaths
April 27, 2023 (McLean, VA) – FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education), the nation’s leading non-profit organization engaged in food allergy advocacy, and the largest private funder of food allergy research, is encouraged with the recent introduction of A.B, 1651, the Munoz SAFE Act, in the California legislature. Introduced by Assembly Member Kate Sanchez (R-AD71) and coauthored by Senator Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera), this bill would require schools, educational offices, and charter schools to store epinephrine auto-injectors in accessible locations for emergency use.
FARE Board Member Priscilla Hernandez, a food allergy mom who lives in California, has been at the forefront of the advocacy push for stronger laws that would ensure that allergic reactions don’t turn into heartbreaking tragedies. Her son Zacky Muñoz, who has life-threatening food allergies and has suffered two anaphylactic reactions in his 1st grade school year, inspired and initiated this new legislation that will ensure that the approximately 467K children in California who have life-threatening food allergies have access to life-saving epinephrine.
In addition to easy access to these life-saving devices, this bill authorizes those with Activity Supervisor Clearance Certificates to be designated by school to receive training to administer the epinephrine auto-injector to individuals experiencing anaphylaxis at a school or school activity if a school nurse is not present.
“We are thrilled that A.B. 1651 has been introduced in California and are thankful to our FARE Advocates Priscilla and Zacky, Assembly Member Sanchez and Senator Archuleta for their hard work in bringing much-needed awareness and action to this safety issue,” says Sung Poblete, RN, PhD, CEO of FARE. “This bill would provide the easy and quick access that is needed in these scary life-threatening situations.”
Coming off the successful passage of Zacky’s Law last year in California, Priscilla, Zacky and the family won’t slow down in their advocacy efforts.
“I am going to fight each and every day to prevent what happened in Texas from happening in California,” said Priscilla Hernandez. “A child lost her life in Texas because her epinephrine auto-injector was locked-up and could not be accessed – the Munoz Safe Act makes it clear that our children will have the life-saving medicine they need at the moment they need it most.”
Added Hernandez, “I am delighted that FARE has joined with me in this effort, and we look forward to getting this legislation passed and signed into law.”
FARE is also thankful that A.B. 1651 aims to eliminate any and all barriers to access, which is the highest priority for the food allergy community. We strongly support A.B. 1651 and encourage quick passage into law.
For the full text of the bill, please visit the CA legislature page here.
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About FARE
FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education) is the nation’s leading non-profit engaged in food allergy advocacy and the largest food allergy charity supporting research. FARE’s innovative education, advocacy and research initiatives transform the future of food allergy through new and improved treatments and prevention strategies, effective policies and legislation, and novel approaches to managing the disease. To learn more, visit: foodallergy.org.