MADISON…”Dillon’s Law 2.0,” which expands the availability of epinephrine auto-injectors for individuals having a life-threatening allergic reaction, passed the State Assembly today in a voice vote.

State Sen. André Jacque (R-De Pere), lead Senate co-author, and Assembly co-author Rep. Shae Sortwell (R-Gibson), said this common sense legislation is a needed expansion of the original 2018 Dillon’s Law that will make saving lives even easier.

“Dillion’s Law is especially important, because it is demonstrated life-saving legislation born from tragedy, and a continuing legacy,” said Sen. Jacque.

Eighteen-year-old Dillon Mueller died Oct. 4, 2014, after he suffered a severe allergic reaction from a bee sting when no epinephrine was available in the first aid kits of either the Eagle Scout with him, or the arriving volunteer first responders.

“Dillon himself was an Eagle Scout preparing to take over the family heritage farm,” Rep. Sortwell said.  “Had there been an epinephrine auto-injector available to counteract a simple bee sting, a fine young man with his whole life ahead of him would very likely be alive today.”

This new proposal is supported by numerous healthcare groups and expands the original Dillon’s Law with ease of use modifications requested by epinephrine administration trainers, including the Wisconsin Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons.

“Dillon’s parents, Angel and George, have made it their mission to educate people about the importance of epinephrine,” Sen. Jacque said.  “Even though it only became law in 2018, Dillon’s Law has already saved at least seven lives and has also been successfully enacted in Minnesota, Indiana, and Illinois.”

“Angel and George Mueller have worked tirelessly with other states to save lives so that Dillon’s memory lives on,” Rep. Sortwell said.  “Thanks to them, Wisconsin is again leading the way forward in promoting epinephrine legislation nationwide.”

The measure (Assembly Bill 337/Senate Bill 343) also had a public hearing in the Senate Committee on Health last week and passed committee unanimously today; it is expected to move to the full State Senate soon, at which point it can be signed by the Governor to become law.

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