Bill allows restaurants, sports arenas to carry EpiPens

ATLANTA — Public places, including restaurants, sports arenas and theme parks, could soon begin stocking life-saving medication for those who are at risk of life-threatening allergic reactions.

A new bill, passed in the 2015 legislature, will allow the public places to stock up on epinephrine, often sold in a product called an EpiPen. The bill was passed by both the House and the Senate and now sits on Gov. Nathan Deal’s desk waiting to be signed.

“Having this medication available will not only allow and create safer environments for food-allergic individuals but also for those that experience anaphylaxis for the first time,” said Karen Harris, who heads the group Food Allergy Kids of Atlanta.

Harris is also in the restaurant business. Her family owns the popular sushi restaurant RuSans in Buckhead.

Harris says because she and her kids have food allergies, they already keep EpiPens in the office, which they’ve had to use more than once on customers who came without them. Harris says having them in her restaurant has potentially saved several lives.

The new bill will affect restaurants, theme parks, hotels, camps and sports arenas. It will also grant immunity for establishments to administer the medication.

Diana Hanley, whose daughter has several food allergies, says this law provides relief for parents like her and those who may suffer a first time reaction.

“If it's your first time reaction, you wouldn't have it. It would be nice that it would be in a restaurant and available,” Hanley said.

If Deal signs the bill into law, the Department of Public Health will come up with the list of businesses allowed to stock epinephrine.

WSBTV