Mason Co-Sponsored Law Protects Children with Allergies

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In an effort to keep all children safe at school, state Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, co-sponsored legislation recently signed into law requiring schools and day care centers to have a plan if a child with allergies experiences a life threatening allergic reaction or anaphylactic shock. 

“Parents should be able to send their kids to school and day care knowing that staff is prepared to help their child if they experience anaphylactic shock,” said Mason. “When a child is experiencing anaphylactic shock, time is of the essence and having a plan and trained staff can mean life or death for a child.”

Anaphylactic shock is an extreme allergic reaction that can often be life threatening. The recently signed Mason backed House Bill 102 will require the Department of Public Health (IDPH), the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to work together to establish policies for schools and day cares around treating anaphylactic shock. The policy will include emergency protocols, a training course for appropriate staff, risk reduction strategies, and how to work with parents and students on strategies to avoid unsafe food. 

“When teachers and staff know the symptoms of anaphylactic shock, they can better respond and make sure kids get the help they need,” said Mason. “With proper training, schools and day care centers can also better work with parents on ways to avoid potentially dangerous situations for kids with allergies.”

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