Maryland Becomes Fourth State to Enact Elijah’s Law to Protect Kids with Food Allergies
26 Abril 2024 - 11:06AM
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) celebrates the
signing of Elijah’s Law in Maryland. The legislation, passed by the
Maryland House and Senate and signed by Gov. Wes Moore, enacts
policies designed to protect children with food allergies in child
care centers.
“We commend the state legislature for passing Elijah’s Law and
taking steps to ensure uniform practices relative to food allergies
in child care centers in Maryland,” said Kenneth Mendez, President
and CEO of AAFA. “This law will protect children and could save
lives. We’d like to thank Delegate Julie Palakovich and Gov. Moore
for their leadership and support.”
Elijah’s Law is a bill named in memory of Elijah Silvera. On
Nov. 3, 2017, 3-year-old Elijah died after a severe allergic
reaction called anaphylaxis at his child care center. Elijah’s
parents, Thomas Silvera and Dina Hawthorne, set out to ensure
protections are in place in all child care centers. Working with
their state lawmakers in New York, Elijah’s parents drafted the
first Elijah’s Law. The bill ensures child care centers take steps
to manage food allergies for the children in their care.
AAFA and the Elijah-Alavi Foundation (EAF), a nonprofit
organization co-founded by Elijah’s parents, worked together in
2022 to release the “Child Care Policies for Food Allergy: Elijah’s
Law Report for the U.S. States and Territories.” The report
looks at state and U.S. territory child care licensing regulations
against 9 policy standards. The standards aim to protect children
with food allergies in child care settings. The report also
includes a toolkit to help advocates push for Elijah’s Law in their
home state.
Maryland is the fourth state in the nation to pass Elijah’s Law,
following New York, Illinois, and Virginia. The legislation is also
being considered this year in legislatures in California, Kansas,
Michigan, Missouri, and Pennsylvania.
“We are encouraged by the momentum behind this legislation in
states across the country,” said Mendez. “We urge lawmakers in the
other states where this is being considered to follow Maryland’s
example and pass Elijah’s Law this year.”
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About AAFA
Founded in 1953, AAFA is the oldest and largest non-profit
patient organization dedicated to saving lives and reducing the
burden of disease for people with asthma, allergies, and related
conditions through research, education, advocacy, and support. AAFA
offers extensive support for individuals and families affected by
asthma and allergic diseases, such as food allergies and atopic
dermatitis (eczema). Through its online patient support
communities, network of regional chapters, and collaborations with
community-based groups, AAFA empowers patients and their families
by providing practical, evidence-based information and community
programs and services. AAFA is the only asthma and allergy patient
advocacy group that is certified to meet the standards of
excellence set by the National Health Council. For more
information, visit: aafa.org and kidswithfoodallergies.org
- Elijah's Law signed into law in Maryland
Andy Spears
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
202-974-1223
media@aafa.org