Sponsored by:
Assemblyman GREGORY P. MCGUCKIN
District 10 (Ocean)
SYNOPSIS
Enacts “Anthony Maruca’s Law”; requires law enforcement officers to carry epinephrine.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning the administration of epinephrine, designated as “Anthony Maruca’s Law,” and supplementing Title 24 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. A law enforcement officer shall successfully complete an approved educational program pursuant to section 5 of P.L.2015, c.215 (C.24:6L-5) to administer an epinephrine auto-injector device for the emergency administration of epinephrine.
b. A law enforcement officer shall provide the officer’s employing entity with a copy of a certificate of completion of an approved educational program, pursuant to section 4 of P.L.2015, c.215 (C.24:6L-4).
c. As used in this act “law enforcement officer” means any person who is employed as a permanent full-time member of an enforcement agency, who is statutorily empowered to act for the detection, investigation, arrest, and conviction of persons violating the criminal laws of this State and statutorily required to successfully complete a training course approved, or certified as being substantially equivalent to a course approved, by the Police Training Commission pursuant to P.L.1961, c.56 (C.52:17B-66 et seq.).
2. a. A police department or force employing law enforcement officers shall make available to each law enforcement officer, at a minimum, a one-dose supply of an epinephrine auto-injector device which may be used by the law enforcement officer while in the performance of official duties.
b. An epinephrine auto-injector device shall be available in all vehicles or medical supply kits, consistent with any standards, protocols, or guidelines established by the Commissioner of Health pursuant to regulation.
3. This act shall take effect on the first day of the sixth month next following the date of enactment.
STATEMENT
This bill enacts “Anthony Maruca’s Law.”
Under the bill, a law enforcement officer is required to successfully complete an approved educational program to administer an epinephrine auto-injector device for the emergency administration of epinephrine and provide the officer’s employing entity with a copy of a certificate of completion of an approved educational program.
The bill provides that a police department or force employing law enforcement officers is to make available to each law enforcement officer, at a minimum, a one-dose supply of an epinephrine auto-injector device which may be used by the law enforcement officer while in the performance of official duties. In addition, pursuant to the bill’s provisions an epinephrine auto-injector device is to be made available in all vehicles or medical supply kits, consistent with any standards, protocols, or guidelines established by the Commissioner of Health pursuant to regulation.
Anthony Maruca tragically died at the age of 23 as a result of anaphylactic shock brought on by a food allergy. Law enforcement officers were present at the scene but were unable to render meaningful assistance because the officers were not supplied with an epinephrine auto-injector device. If the officers were equipped with an epinephrine auto-injector, it likely would have saved Anthony’s life and spared his family the trauma of losing a loved one. The sponsor hopes that this bill will aid in preventing additional deaths by providing law enforcement with a lifesaving resource.