An Act to Protect Anaphylactic Pupils

An Act to Protect Anaphylactic Pupils (official short title: Sabrina's Law, 2005) is a law in Ontario, Canada, which requires Ontario school boards to establish and maintain policies to protect anaphylactic students from common causes of anaphylactic reactions.

Sabrina's Law, 2005
Legislative Assembly of Ontario
  • An Act to protect anaphylactic students / Loi visant à protéger les élèves anaphylactiques
Citation[1]
PassedMay 16th, 2005
CommencedJanuary 1st, 2006
Status: In force

Background

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The bill's common title is named after Sabrina Shannon, a 13 year old student from Pembroke, Ontario, who died in September 2003 after suffering an anaphylactic reaction at school.[1][2] Her death and its publicity would contribute to the public support for and later passing of Sabrina's Law.[3]

Legislative history

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The bill was first introduced during the first session of the 38th Legislative Assembly of Ontario, in November 2003 by then MPP Dave Levac.[4] After its initial introduction it was amended by a standing committee and carried unanimously by the House in May 2005. It was then granted royal assent in June 2005 and came into effect on January 1, 2006.[5]

Provisions

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The law does not require the banning of any foods, but it does require that every school board establish and maintain an anaphylactic policy to protect students with severe allergies by limiting their risk of exposure to allergens. As a result many schools have elected to ban certain foods outright.[6][7] The law also requires that schools implement communication plans for providing educational resources about life-threatening allergies to parents and students.[8] School principals are expected to create and maintain individual files for each anaphylactic student in their school.[9] The law also requires that schools train staff to recognize anaphylactic shock and provide first aid.[10]

References

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  1. ^ "Sabrina's Law". foodallergycanada.ca. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  2. ^ Smith, Gwen (2 July 2010). "Sabrina's Law: The Girl and the Food Allergy Law". Allergic Living. Allergic Living. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  3. ^ Cherrt, Tamara (3 May 2007). "Sabrina's mom agitates so other kids won't die". The Toronto Star. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
  4. ^ "Sabrina's Law Makes Ontario's Schools Safer". news.ontario.ca. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
  5. ^ "Sabrina's Law, 2005". Legislative Assembly of Ontario. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  6. ^ "Panel recommends easing food bans in schools, training staff to administer epinephrine". CTVNews. 5 May 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
  7. ^ "Why some schools are now allowing foods that were banned". cbc.ca. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
  8. ^ Harnden, Emond (1 June 2005). "Sabrina's Law, 2005 passed by Legislative Assembly". ehlaw.ca. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  9. ^ "Law Document English View". Ontario.ca. 24 July 2014. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  10. ^ "Allergy Law in Affect for Ontario Schools". cbc.ca. Retrieved 28 April 2022.