North Carolina General Statutes 90-21.15A. Emergency treatment using epinephrine auto-injector; immunity
(a) Definitions. – The following definitions apply in this section:
(1) Administer. – The direct application of an epinephrine auto-injector to the body of an individual.
Terms Used In North Carolina General Statutes 90-21.15A
- Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
- Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
- following: when used by way of reference to any section of a statute, shall be construed to mean the section next preceding or next following that in which such reference is made; unless when some other section is expressly designated in such reference. See North Carolina General Statutes 12-3
- Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
- Obligation: An order placed, contract awarded, service received, or similar transaction during a given period that will require payments during the same or a future period.
- Oversight: Committee review of the activities of a Federal agency or program.
- state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, shall be construed to extend to and include the District of Columbia and the several territories, so called; and the words "United States" shall be construed to include the said district and territories and all dependencies. See North Carolina General Statutes 12-3
(2) Authorized entity. – Any entity or organization, other than a school described in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 115C-375.2A, at which allergens capable of causing anaphylaxis may be present, including, but not limited to, recreation camps, colleges, universities, day care facilities, youth sports leagues, amusement parks, restaurants, places of employment, and sports arenas. An authorized entity shall also include any person, corporation, or other entity that owns or operates any entity or organization listed.
(3) Epinephrine auto-injector. – A single-use device used for the automatic injection of a premeasured dose of epinephrine into the human body.
(4) Health care provider. – A health care provider licensed to prescribe drugs under the laws of this State.
(5) Provide. – To supply one or more epinephrine auto-injectors to an individual.
(b) Prescribing to Authorized Entities Permitted. – A health care provider may prescribe epinephrine auto-injectors in the name of an authorized entity for use in accordance with this section, and pharmacists and health care providers may dispense epinephrine auto-injectors pursuant to a prescription issued in the name of an authorized entity. A prescription issued pursuant to this section shall be valid for no more than two years.
(c) Authorized Entities Permitted to Maintain Supply. – An authorized entity may acquire and stock a supply of epinephrine auto-injectors pursuant to a prescription issued in accordance with this section. An authorized entity that acquires and stocks epinephrine auto-injectors shall make a good-faith effort to store the supply of epinephrine auto-injectors in accordance with the epinephrine auto-injector manufacturer’s instructions for use and any additional requirements that may be established by the Department of Health and Human Services. An authorized entity that acquires and stocks a supply of epinephrine auto-injectors pursuant to a prescription issued in accordance with this section shall designate employees or agents to be responsible for the storage, maintenance, control, and general oversight of epinephrine auto-injectors acquired by the authorized entity.
(d) Use of Epinephrine Auto-Injectors by Authorized Entities. – An employee or agent of an authorized entity or other individual who has completed the training required by subsection (e) of this section may use epinephrine auto-injectors prescribed pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 90-726.1 to do any of the following:
(1) Provide an epinephrine auto-injector to any individual who the employee, agent, or other individual believes in good faith is experiencing anaphylaxis, or a person believed in good faith to be the parent, guardian, or caregiver of such individual, for immediate administration, regardless of whether the individual has a prescription for an epinephrine auto-injector or has previously been diagnosed with an allergy.
(2) Administer an epinephrine auto-injector to any individual who the employee, agent, or other individual believes in good faith is experiencing anaphylaxis, regardless of whether the individual has a prescription for an epinephrine auto-injector or has previously been diagnosed with an allergy.
(e) Mandatory Training Program. – An authorized entity that elects to acquire and stock a supply of epinephrine auto-injectors as described in subsection (c) of this section shall designate employees or agents to complete an anaphylaxis training program. The training may be conducted online or in person and shall, at a minimum, include all of the following components:
(1) How to recognize signs and symptoms of severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis.
(2) Standards and procedures for the storage and administration of an epinephrine auto-injector.
(3) Emergency follow-up procedures.
In-person training shall cover the three components listed in this subsection and be conducted by (i) a physician, physician assistant, or registered nurse licensed to practice in this State; (ii) a nationally recognized organization experienced in training laypersons in emergency health treatment; or (iii) an entity or individual approved by the Department of Health and Human Services.
Online training shall cover the three components listed in this subsection and be offered (i) by a nationally recognized organization experienced in training laypersons in emergency health treatment; (ii) by an entity or individual approved by the Department of Health and Human Services; or (iii) by means of an online training course that has been approved by another state.
(f) Immunity. –
(1) The following persons are immune from criminal liability and from suit in any civil action brought by any person for injuries or related damages that result from any act or omission taken pursuant to this section:
a. Any authorized entity that voluntarily and without expectation of payment possesses and makes available epinephrine auto-injectors.
b. Any employee or agent of an authorized entity, or any other individual, who provides or administers an epinephrine auto-injector to an individual whom the employee, agent, or other individual believes in good faith is experiencing symptoms of anaphylaxis and has completed the required training set forth in subsection (e) of this section.
c. A health care provider that prescribes epinephrine auto-injectors to an authorized entity.
d. A pharmacist or health care provider that dispenses epinephrine auto-injectors to an authorized entity.
e. Any individual or entity that conducts the training mandated by subsection (e) of this section.
(2) The immunity conferred by this section does not apply to acts or omissions constituting willful or wanton conduct as defined in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1D-5(7) or intentional wrongdoing.
(3) Nothing in this section creates or imposes any duty, obligation, or basis for liability on any authorized entity, any employee or agent of an authorized entity, or any other individual to acquire, possess, store, make available, or administer an epinephrine auto-injector.
(4) This section does not eliminate, limit, or reduce any other immunity or defense that may be available under State law, including the protections set forth in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 90-21.14
(g) Liability for Acts Outside of This State. – An authorized entity located in this State shall not be liable under the laws of this State for any injuries or related damages resulting from the provision or administration of an epinephrine auto-injector outside of this State under either of the following circumstances:
(1) If the authorized entity would not have been liable for such injuries or related damages if the epinephrine auto-injector had been provided or administered within this State.
(2) If the authorized entity is not liable for such injuries or related damages under the laws of the state in which the epinephrine auto-injector was provided or administered.
(h) Does Not Constitute Practice of Medicine. – The administration of an epinephrine auto-injector in accordance with this section is not the practice of medicine or any other profession that otherwise requires licensure. (2015-274, s. 1.)