Date: 03/13/2015

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB15-1232

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH CARE & HUMAN SERVICES

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Adopt amendment L.003 (Attachment A). The motion p
Adopt amendment L.004 (Attachment B). The motion p
Refer House Bill 15-1232, as amended, to the Commi		Pass Without Objection
Pass Without Objection
PASS



11:59 AM -- HB 15-1232

Representatives Ginal and Landgraf introduced House Bill 15-1232 and distributed amendments L.003 and L.004 (Attachments A and B). The bill allows authorized entities other than schools to acquire and stock a supply of epinephrine auto-injectors via a valid prescription. Authorized entities under the bill include recreations camps, colleges and universities, day care facilities, youth sports leagues, amusement parks, restaurants, places of employment, and sports arenas at which allergens capable of causing anaphylaxis maybe present. Representative Ginal described her personal experience suffering anaphylaxis, and demonstrated how an epinephrine auto-injector works. Representative Ginal explained that the bill is an expansion of legislation that passed in 2013 allowing schools to store epinephrine auto-injectors. Representatives Ginal and Landgraf responded to questions from the committee regarding the supply of epinephrine auto-injectors the authorized entities would have to maintain, how expiration dates for the medication would be monitored, why legislation to implement the bill is necessary, and whether other medical events could be confused with anaphylaxis. Representative Landgraf explained amendment L.004 and Representative Ginal explained amendment L.003. They further responded to questions from the committee about the agencies that would conduct the training for the authorized entities.

150313 AttachA.pdf150313 AttachA.pdf150313 AttachB.pdf150313 AttachB.pdf

12:23 PM -- Sonia Riggs, Colorado Restaurant Association, testified in opposition to the bill as introduced. She stated the bill poses large liability risks for restaurants, and the bill's provisions regarding liability do not go far enough. She stated that it is unclear whether restaurants could be held liable if they choose not to stock epinephrine auto-injectors and there is an anaphylaxis incident. She also expressed concern about whether a business could be liable if untrained employees administer epinephrine auto-injectors, or if epinephrine auto-injectors are allowed to expire. She noted that restaurant workers are not medical professionals and discussed the risks associated with improper use of epinephrine auto-injectors. She responded to questions from the committee and Representative Landgraf explained that the sponsors were working on an amendment to address Ms. Riggs' concerns with the bills. Committee discussion continued.

12:34 PM -- Nick Hoover, Colorado Restaurant Association, read testimony in opposition to the bill. He stated that food service employees should not be expected to provide medical care to patrons and should call 911 in emergency situations. He discussed amendments to the bill that the association would support.

12:37 PM -- Dr. David Fleischer, Children's Hospital Colorado, Colorado Allergy Association, and University of Colorado Medical School, testified in support of the bill. He discussed incidents of anaphylaxis suffered by people with food allergies and data related to the training of restaurant personnel regarding allergens. He responded to questions from the committee regarding storage conditions for epinephrine auto-injectors and whether it is necessary to stock multiple epinephrine auto-injectors.

12:48 PM -- Cheryl Pietrangelo, representing herself, testified in support of the bill and regarding allergies and epinephrine auto-injectors. She spoke regarding the importance of quick medical attention in cases of anaphylaxis.

12:52 PM -- Alex Chiastra, representing himself, testified in support of the bill and regarding his allergy to peanuts and tree nuts. He discussed food-related allergies, and stated that facilities other than schools should be stocked with epinephrine.

12:55 PM -- Rachelle Strom, representing herself, testified in support of the bill and regarding her children's' food allergies and her experience as a former restaurant owner. She stated that restaurants will benefit from the bill and the bill will affect a large number of restaurant customers. She explained that calling 911 is not a sufficient replacement for stocking epinephrine.

12:58 PM -- Marijo Rymer, ARC of Colorado, testified in support of the bill and stated that the risk to those who receive and administer epinephrine is minimal. She responded to questions from the committee regarding the bill's liability provisions and her support for amendments concerning the issue.

01:02 PM -- Bruce Lott, Mylan Inc., testified in support of the bill. He discussed the health problems associated with food allergies and laws related to access to epinephrine auto injectors in schools. He listed the states that have adopted or are considering similar legislation.

BILL:HB15-1232
TIME: 01:07:18 PM
MOVED:Landgraf
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.004 (Attachment B). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Singer
VOTE
Conti
Danielson
Everett
Ginal
Joshi
Landgraf
Melton
Moreno
Sias
Tyler
Windholz
Singer
Primavera
YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:HB15-1232
TIME: 01:08:14 PM
MOVED:Ginal
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.003 (Attachment A). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Melton
VOTE
Conti
Danielson
Everett
Ginal
Joshi
Landgraf
Melton
Moreno
Sias
Tyler
Windholz
Singer
Primavera
YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection



01:09 PM

Representatives Landgraf and Ginal gave concluding remarks regarding the bill.

BILL:HB15-1232
TIME: 01:09:27 PM
MOVED:Landgraf
MOTION:Refer House Bill 15-1232, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a vote of 11-2.
SECONDED:Ginal
VOTE
Conti
Yes
Danielson
Yes
Everett
No
Ginal
Yes
Joshi
No
Landgraf
Yes
Melton
Yes
Moreno
Yes
Sias
Yes
Tyler
Yes
Windholz
Yes
Singer
Yes
Primavera
Yes
Final YES: 11 NO: 2 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS




01:16 PM

The committee adjourned.