Prescribing, dispensing, and administering auto-injectable epinephrine; liability; reports; rulemaking authority.

(a) As used in this section, the following words shall have the following meanings:

(1) ADMINISTER. The direct application of an epinephrine auto-injector to the body of an individual.

(2) AUTHORIZED ENTITY. Any entity or organization other than a K-12 public school subject to Section 16-1-48, in connection with or at which allergens capable of causing anaphylaxis may be present, including, but not limited to, recreation camps, colleges and universities, day care facilities, youth sport leagues, amusement parks, restaurants, places of employment, and sports arenas.

(3) EPINEPHRINE AUTO-INJECTOR. A single-use device used for the automatic injection of a premeasured dose of epinephrine into the human body.

(4) MEDICAL PRACTITIONER. A physician or other individual licensed under Title 34 authorized to treat, use, or prescribe medicine and drugs for sick and injured humans in this state.

(5) PROVIDE. The supply of one or more epinephrine auto-injectors to an individual. As used in this section, the term should not be construed to include any managerial authority on behalf of the medical practitioner.

(b) A medical practitioner may prescribe epinephrine auto-injectors in the name of an authorized entity for use in accordance with this section, and pharmacists and medical providers may dispense epinephrine auto-injectors pursuant to a prescription issued in the name of any authorized entity. A prescription issued pursuant to this section shall be valid for two years.

(c) An authorized entity may acquire and stock a supply of epinephrine auto-injectors pursuant to a prescription issued in accordance with this section. Epinephrine auto-injectors shall be stored in a location readily accessible in an emergency and in accordance with the epinephrine auto-injector's instructions for use and any additional requirements that may be established by the State Board of Health. An authorized entity shall designate employees or agents who have completed training required by this section to be responsible for the storage, maintenance, control, and general oversight of epinephrine auto-injectors acquired by the authorized entity.

(d) An employee or agent of an authorized entity, or other individual who has completed the training required by this section, may use epinephrine auto-injectors prescribed pursuant to this section to do either of the following:

(1) Provide an epinephrine auto-injector to an individual who the employee, agent, or other individual believes in good faith is experiencing anaphylaxis, or the parent, guardian, or caregiver of the individual, for immediate administration, regardless of whether the individual has a prescription for an epinephrine auto-injector or has previously been diagnosed with an allergy.

(2) Administer an epinephrine auto-injector to any individual who the employee, agent, or other individual believes in good faith is experiencing anaphylaxis, regardless of whether the individual has a prescription for an epinephrine auto-injector or has previously been diagnosed with an allergy.

(e) An employee, agent, or other individual described in subsection (c) or (d) shall complete an initial anaphylaxis training program and shall complete subsequent training programs at least every two years thereafter. Training shall be conducted by a nationally recognized organization experienced in training laypersons in emergency health treatment or an entity or individual approved by the Department of Public Health. The Department of Public Health may approve specific entities or individuals or may approve classes of entities or individuals to conduct training. The entity that conducts the training shall issue a certificate, on a form developed by the Department of Public Health, to each individual who successfully completes the anaphylaxis training program. Training may be conducted online or in person and, at a minimum, shall cover all of the following:

(1) How to recognize signs and symptoms of severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis.

(2) Standards and procedures for the storage and administration of an epinephrine auto-injector.

(3) Emergency follow-up procedures.

(f) The following persons shall not be liable for any injuries or related damages that result from any act or omission taken pursuant to this section; provided, however, this immunity does not apply to an act or omission constituting willful or wanton conduct:

(1) An authorized entity that possesses and makes available epinephrine auto-injectors and its employees, agents, and other individuals.

(2) An individual or entity that conducts the training described in this section, but only to the extent the injuries or related damages arise from the training conducted by the individual or entity. Notwithstanding subsection (g), a health care provider who or which administers an epinephrine auto-injector shall be subject to and afforded the protections provided by the Alabama Medical Liability Act, Sections 6-5-480 to 6-5-488, inclusive, and Sections 6-5-540 to 6-5-552, inclusive, and any amendments thereto. The immunity provided in this subsection does not affect a manufacturer's liability regarding the design, manufacture, instructions regarding the use of, or training regarding the use of an epinephrine auto-injector.

(g) All of the following individuals are immune from any civil or criminal liability for actions authorized under this section:

(1) A physician who prescribes or dispenses an epinephrine auto-injector pursuant to this section, or who is consulted pursuant to this section, and who has no managerial authority over the individual administering the epinephrine auto-injector.

(2) A pharmacist who dispenses an epinephrine auto-injector pursuant to this section and who has no managerial authority over the individual administering the epinephrine auto-injector.

(h) The administration of an epinephrine auto-injector in accordance with this section is not the practice of medicine, except for licensed health care professionals, nor is it the practice of another profession that otherwise requires licensure. This section does not alter or replace any other immunity or defense that may be available under state law.

(i)(1) An authorized entity that possesses and makes available epinephrine auto-injectors shall submit to the Department of Public Health, on a form developed by the Department of Public Health, a report of each incident on the authorized entity's premises that involves the administration of an epinephrine auto-injector pursuant to subsection (c). The Department of Public Health shall annually publish a report that summarizes and analyzes all reports submitted to it under this subsection.

(2) The State Board of Health may adopt rules necessary to carry out the intent of this section.

(Act 2016-193, §1.)