Legislation Passed the Senate & Assembly to Allow First Responders in Suffolk County to Carry Epinephrine Injectors

(Albany) – Today in Albany, the NY State Senate unanimously passed legislation that will now allow law enforcement officers, firefighters and EMS personnel in Suffolk County and other parts of the state, to carry and administer life-saving epinephrine injectors, commonly referred to as epi-pens.

Several years ago, state lawmakers passed Gio’s law, which authorized counties throughout the state to pass local legislation allowing certain emergency service providers to be trained and use the epi-pens in cases of anaphylactic shock. However, when Suffolk County Legislators introduced such legislation last year, the county attorneys determined that the wording in the original state law (Gio’s Law), prohibited counties with populations of over 1 million to take such action.

Legislator Dominick Thorne immediately reached out to NYS Senator Dean Murray for help. Senator Murray then teamed with Senator Julia Salazar, the original sponsor of Gio’s law, to introduce legislation (S.7617 / A.7961), to clarify that all NY counties, outside of NY City’s boundaries, can pass legislation allowing law enforcement, firefighters, and EMS personnel to carry and use the epinephrine injectors. The bill is carried in the Assembly by NYS Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal and passed unanimously earlier this year.

“I’m thrilled that we were able to work together, to clarify the intent to allow localities throughout NY State to take these life saving measures,” said Senator Murray.  "I urge the Governor to sign this bill into law as quickly as possible as it will, no doubt, save lives," Murray added.

“In 2023 a resolution was passed to save people’s lives in Suffolk County with the distribution of epinephrine auto-injectors in our police cars.  However, a NYS amendment to the current Gio’s Law was required.  My sincerest heartfelt thanks to Senator Murray for pushing the state to amend the law helping our brave men and women in law enforcement to have an additional tool to save lives here in Suffolk County,” said Legislator Dominick Thorne.

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