Committee advances emergency allergy treatment bill

A Wisconsin Assembly committee has advanced a bill that would allow businesses to keep a supply of epinephrine injectors to be used in case of life-threatening allergic reactions.

The Health Committee unanimously approved the bill this morning. The committee changed the bill to make clear that businesses may offer the drug, but aren’t required to have it on hand.

Schools are already allowed to keep a supply of the auto-injectors. The bill would add camps, colleges, restaurants and other businesses to those allowed to carry and administer the drug. Auto-injectors are used to treat anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that causes constricted airways that make it difficult to breathe.