New amendment to 'Gio's Law' allows police in Nassau and Suffolk to carry EpiPens
A potentially lifesaving change for people with allergies.
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Nassau and Suffolk counties can now adopt a state law that requires first responders to carry and administer EpiPens.
A new amendment to Gio's Law now allows police on Long Island to use EpiPens on someone suffering from anaphylactic shock.
Gio's Law is named after Georgina Cornago's son – Giovanni Cipriano. Cornago says her son was 14 years old when he died of an allergic reaction in 2013.
"That's the whole point of Gio's Law. Having that police car equipped so they can be the first one there to give a jab if they need it,” says Cornago.
Gio's law was signed in 2019 and allowing first responders in New York to carry and use EpiPens. But a lawmaker News 12 spoke with says because of the way the law was written then, it excluded Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester counties due to population size.
"Now they're going to be in the police cars, they're going to be readily available so when they respond, they can use them immediately," says New York state Sen. Dean Murray.
Gordon Heights fire chief and EMT, Moonee Rivers, says police are often first on the scene of a 911 call.
"If the police do have this on their person, it will help save lives," says Rivers.
Suffolk County adopted the law last year, meaning it can now be implemented. We reached out to Nassau about adopting Gio's Law.
