A proposal is advancing in the Tennessee Legislature that would require at least two epinephrine auto-injectors in all public and private schools in the state.
Proponents of the legislation say it's necessary for children who may not carry a so-called EpiPen, a device designed to quickly treat serious allergic reactions, or for children who have their first reaction at school. The proposal is expected to be heard next week in the House and Senate finance committees. The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology says roughly one in 13 kids under age 18 have at least one food allergy. Nearly 40 percent of those children have had a severe allergic reaction.
