Nassau Teen's Idea For Bill To Supply Restaurants With EpiPens Debated

NASSAU COUNTY, NY — At Monday's Nassau County Legislature meeting, around a dozen residents spoke in support of a bill that would create a pilot program to fund EpiPens at restaurants. The bill is sponsored by Legislator Josh Lafazan.

Casey Dubofsky, a Jericho High School student, spoke about a life-threatening allergic reaction she had at age 3 at a restaurant, before her parents knew she had a food allergy. She cited statistics that a large percentage of allergic reactions occur at restaurants.

The pilot program would authorize the Nassau Department of Health to supply participating restaurants with the medicine. Restaurants would designate a staff member to receive training in administering the EpiPens.

Casey's mother Lindsay Dubofsky also spoke, comparing the need for EpiPens to the defibrillators on hand at businesses.

"This bill would save lives."

The residents who spoke asked for the legislature to bring the bill to a vote.

Lafazan said that Casey Dubofsky first had the idea for the bill.

"She came to me and said, why don't restaurants have EpiPens, and I didn't know the answer to that question," he said.

The bill still needs the approval from the Nassau County Department of Health.

Richard Nicolello, Presiding Officer at the Legislature, asked about liability for the businesses, the person administering, and the county.