Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Elijah’s Law to put lifesaving epinephrine in PA childcare centers heads to governor’s desk

Elijah’s Law to put lifesaving epinephrine in PA childcare centers heads to governor’s desk

Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus    October 21, 2026 | 5:03 PM

HARRISBURG, Oct. 21 – Children with life-threatening food allergies will be safer at child care centers thanks to H.B. 928 that heads to the governor’s desk with bipartisan support, according to the bill’s sponsors, state Reps. Bridget Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna, and Kristen Marcell, R-Bucks.

The bill will ensure that childcare workers have the training and the medication needed to identify and stop a deadly food reaction. Known as Elijah’s Law, the bill is named after 3-year-old Elijah Silvera who died from an allergic reaction to a dairy product he ingested at his day care. Following his son’s death, Thomas Silvera has advocated for the passage of Elijah’s Law that would require the education and provision of life-saving medicine to childcare workers and teachers.

“In an emergency situation, specifically an allergic reaction in a child, you need to recognize it fast and treat it quickly,” said Kosierowski. “This bill gives Pennsylvania childcare workers the training and the medication needed to save lives.”

“As more hospitals close and federal budget cuts push more people off Medicaid into our already overwhelmed emergency rooms, the first response needs to happen in our day care centers. This legislation will help ensure that day care personnel are prepared to act when there’s no time to waste.”

The bill would ensure child care facilities can get prescriptions for epinephrine delivery systems (best known by one maker’s brand name of EpiPen) to treat serious allergic reactions. The devices would deliver a premeasured dose of epinephrine for allergic reactions sometimes caused by food which can be especially severe for children. The state may provide some funds to help facilities pay for EpiPens and will supply informational material about allergic reactions for child care locations to give to parents.

“When a child is experiencing a severe allergic reaction, every second counts,” said Marcell. “Childcare providers need the training and tools to recognize what is happening and respond immediately. This legislation gives them greater ability to act during an emergency and gives parents additional peace of mind when they leave their children in someone else’s care.”

The measure is already law in Illinois, New York, Maryland, Virginia, California and Arizona.