SB296 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tim MelsonSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Epinephrine, auto-injectors, authorize administration of by non medical persons, program created

Summary

SB296 would let certain non-school entities stock and administer single-dose epinephrine auto-injectors to treat severe allergic reactions, with trained staff and legal protections.

What This Bill Does

Medical doctors may prescribe epinephrine auto-injectors to authorized entities, and these entities can stock them for use during emergencies. Trained staff at these entities may provide or administer the injectors to anyone they believe is having anaphylaxis, including people without a prior allergy diagnosis. The bill includes immunity from liability for entities, staff, and trainers under certain conditions, requires training and reporting to the Department of Public Health, and allows the State Board of Health to set implementing rules.

Who It Affects

• Authorized non-K-12 entities (e.g., summer camps, day care facilities, restaurants, workplaces, arenas) and their employees/agents who would store, maintain, and administer epinephrine auto-injectors after training.
• People at risk of severe allergic reactions and the general public who could receive immediate epinephrine from trained laypersons during an emergency.

Key Provisions

• Creates a program for prescribing single-dose epinephrine auto-injectors to authorized entities for use by laypersons during severe allergic reactions.
• Prescriptions issued under the program are valid for two years; medical practitioners may prescribe in the name of an authorized entity; pharmacists may dispense accordingly.
• Authorized entities may stock injectors, must store them in accessible locations, and designate trained staff responsible for handling them.
• Trained employees/agents may provide or administer an injector to a person believed to be experiencing anaphylaxis, including to individuals without a prescription or prior diagnosis.
• Requires initial and ongoing anaphylaxis training (every two years), conducted by a recognized organization or the Department of Public Health-approved entity, with certificates issued.
• Provides immunity from civil or criminal liability for entities, employees, and trainers under specified conditions; physicians and pharmacists dispensing or consulting are also immune if they have no managerial authority over the administrator.
• Administration of epinephrine under the bill is not considered the practice of medicine.
• Authorized entities must report incidents involving administration to the Department of Public Health; the department will publish an annual summary.
• The State Board of Health may adopt rules to implement the bill.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Epinephrine