26:12-18 Findings, declarations relative to emergency epinephrine administration at youth camps.

2. The Legislature finds and declares that:

a. Insect and food allergies are the leading cause of anaphylaxis, a life-threatening condition that is easily treatable with epinephrine, a medication only available via prescription;

b. Individuals who are known to be at risk of anaphylaxis may carry emergency doses of epinephrine with them at all times. However, many individuals may not be aware of their allergy and therefore do not carry epinephrine medication;

c. New Jersey's youth camps offer a broad array of outdoor educational and recreational opportunities to youth campers, which may expose campers and staff members to various different kinds of insects and foods for the first time;

d. Youth camps are often located in remote settings where medical professionals or first responders are not available to provide emergency care for anaphylaxis;

e. The State of New Jersey, at P.L.1997, c.368 (C.18A:40-12.5 et seq.) and P.L.2013, c.211 (C.18A:61D-11 et seq.), has already recognized the value of training non-medical professionals to administer this life-saving drug in K-12 educational settings and institutions of higher education when a medical professional is not physically present at the scene; and

f. It is prudent to similarly provide youth camp staff members, who are responsible for the safety of one or more campers, with the tools necessary to respond to emergency anaphylaxis situations, particularly where exposure to unfamiliar insects or foods is likely, and where assistance from medical professionals and first responders is not readily available.

L.2015, c.231, s.2.