FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
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    STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
    John L. Winn
    Commissioner of Education
    F. PHILIP HANDY,
    Chairman
    T. WILLARD FAIR,
    Vice Chairman
    Members
    DONNA G. CALLAWAY
    ROBERTO MARTÍNEZ
    PHOEBE RAULERSON
    KATHLEEN SHANAHAN
    LINDA K. TAYLOR
    MEMORANDUM
    Contact Information:
    Name: Dianne Mennitt
    TO:
    District Student Services Directors
    Phone: (850) 922-3727
    Email: dmennitt@tempest.coedu.usf.edu
    FROM:
    Bambi J. Lockman
    DATE:
    May 24, 2006
    K12: 2006-68
    SUBJECT:
    Technical Assistance Paper on Implementation of 2005 Legislation: HB 279 “Kelsey Ryan Act”
    The Florida Department of Education is committed to a seamless education system to improve student learning in a
    safe learning environment. The 2005 Legislature amended Section 1002.20, Florida Statutes, to create the Kelsey
    Ryan Act. A previous memorandum dated July 21, 2005, K12:
    2005-93, addresses key provisions of the Kelsey
    Ryan Act. This legislation specifies that a public school student who has life-threatening allergic reactions may
    carry an epinephrine auto-injector and self-administer epinephrine by auto-injector while in school, participating in
    school-sponsored activities, or in transit to or from school or school-sponsored activities if the school has been
    provided with parental and physician authorization. This legislation became effective on January 1, 2006.
    An increasing number of students and staff have anaphylaxis, a severe life-threatening allergic reaction. An
    interagency task force developed and reviewed the attached technical assistance paper (TAP 2006-7) in order to
    address the care of students with anaphylaxis in Florida schools. This TAP focuses on a team approach to ensure a
    safe and supportive educational environment.
    If you have questions or need additional information, please contact the Department of Education, Student Services
    Office, at (850) 922-3727 or the Department of Health, School Health Program, at (850) 245-4445.
    BJL:dm
    Attachment: Technical Assistance Paper on Implementation of 2005 Legislation: “Kelsey Ryan Act”
    cc:
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    District Exceptional Student Education Directors
    District School Health Coordinators
    District Transportation Directors
    District Food Service Directors
    Sylvia Byrd, Executive Nursing Director for School Health
    BAMBI J. LOCKMAN
    Chief
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    Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services
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    325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 614 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0475 • www.fldoe.org

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