Public Venues to Be Safer for New York’s Two Million Food Allergy Families
FARE-Championed Bill Passes NY State Legislature. Once signed, New York public venues for 1,000+ people to have epinephrine auto-injectors available.
McLEAN, Va.—May 30, 2024—FARE (Food Allergy Research and Education), the leading nonprofit organization engaged in food allergy education and advocacy—and the largest provider of charitable support for food allergy research in the U.S.— today thanked State Senator Andrew Gounardes, Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal, and members of the New York State Legislature for sponsoring and voting for S.1078A-Gounardes/A.2885A-Rosenthal, legislation that requires epinephrine auto-injectors at all large venues in New York State.
The bill passed the State Senate on May 29, and the State Assembly last week and will now head to Governor Hochul’s desk where she is expected to sign the bill into law in the coming months. The idea for the legislation was brought to Sen. Gounardes’ attention by one of his constituents, Lucia Zaremba, a Bay Ridge teen who was inspired to act after her brother John suffered from anaphylaxis and his Mother, Nancy, used an epinephrine auto-injector to save his life.
“Whether it is visiting Yankee Stadium in the Bronx or the JMA Dome in Syracuse, New York’s two million food allergy families are now safer thanks to the work of Sen. Gounardes, Assemblymember Rosenthal, Lucia Zaremba, and the hundreds of advocates who supported this legislation,” said Sung Poblete, PhD, RN, CEO of FARE. “FARE is proud to have endorsed this much-needed bill, traveled to Albany to lobby for it, and looks forward to working in other states to pass it.”
Once signed into law, the legislation requires that venues with seating for more than 1,000 people have epinephrine auto-injectors available, aligning with requirements for the availability of other life-saving devices and rescue medications including Automated External Defibrillators (AED) machines and Narcan. This is especially critical in New York, known for its famous venues including Madison Square Garden, where an estimated two million residents have potentially life-threatening food allergies including more than 300,000 children 18 and under.
FARE played an active role in advocating for the passage of this bill, participating in press events, conducting grassroots activities, and visiting Albany to lobby lawmakers and staff to pass this much-needed legislation.
“This bill was personal to me,” said Jason Linde, FARE’s Senior Vice President of Advocacy, “as someone who was born and raised in New York with food allergies, I was inspired by Lucia and her family, and wanted to make sure we did everything possible to support her efforts.”
Added Linde, “This bill is a model that other states can follow to keep their food allergy families safe.”
The new bill goes into effect immediately following Governor Hochul’s signature.
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About FARE
FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education) is the leading nonprofit organization that empowers the food allergy patient across the journey of managing their disease. FARE delivers innovation by focusing on three strategic pillars—advocacy, research, and education—united by the through line of health equity. FARE’s initiatives accelerate the future of food allergy through effective policies and legislation, novel strategies toward prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, and building awareness and community. For more information, visit FoodAllergy.org.