\"Brentson\'s Law\" Passed the House & Is Now Law in the State of Tennessee!

First off, congrats! You sound thrilled!

Also, I haven't been around much lately - could you please fill me in on what Brentson's Law is? [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/wink.gif[/img]

Summary of "Brentson's Law" - *HB2442 / SB2883

"Brentson's Law" will require the department of education to develop guidelines for the management of students with life-threatening food allergies no later than January 1, 2007. These guidelines would include, but not be limited to:

(1) Education and training of school personnel on proper medication procedures and care for students with such allergies;
(2) Procedures for responding to allergic reactions;
(3) Development of individualized health care and action plans for every student with such an allergy; and
(4) Protocols to prevent allergen exposure.

There were not any guidelines in place in the state of Tennessee to help protect children with anaphylactic food allergies. My son, Brentson had an anaphylactic reaction at his Elementary School on 09/12/2005 due to cross contamination with some form of PB Product in music class where there isn't any food allowed. I had to recently take my son out of the Metro Nashville Public School System due to his PA. This was due to the lack of concern and extremely slow response by the MNPS to do what was needed to help protect Brentson and the other 5 children that attended Brentson's Elementary School with PA's. The state of Tennessee Attorney General does not recognize PA's as a disability under Section 504 due to Land vs. Baptist Medical Center. Therefore, they would not make any accommodations prescribed by Brentson's licensed Pediatrician. This the first step as far as helping protect children with anaphylactic food allergies in the state of Tennessee.

Take Care,
Laura Duke
[email]7051996@bellsouth.net[/email]

[This message has been edited by Laura Duke (edited March 28, 2006).]

Congratulations! Your efforts are priceless to so many children/parents.

Rachel

Thank you! But it wasn't all me. It was all of us! All of us parents with PA Network working together that got this bill "Brentson's Law" pushed through and passed in the House of Representatives in the state of Tennessee. I couldn't have done it with out all of ya'lls help, support and prayers! There are no words to express how appreciative Brentson and I are for everything you guys have done!

Take Care & May God Bless,
Laura & Brentson Duke
[email]7051996@bellsouth.net[/email]

CONGRATULATIONS! That is wonderful! Does anyone know if there is a similar law in Texas? I'm guessing no, because my son's school does not seem to know much about FAs.

Your in luck! Texas is one of the best states to live if you have a child with anaphylaxis food allergies. Please see the following links that the Texas Board of Education uses to help protect children with anaphylaxis food allergies.

Take Care,
Laura Duke
[email]7051996@bellsouth.net[/email]

[url="http://www.squaremeals.org"]www.squaremeals.org[/url]

[url="http://www.doe.mass.edu"]www.doe.mass.edu[/url]

Congratulations!!!
I'm in Mississippi, maybe I should move to Tennessee!

That is wonderful [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img] I am soooo happy for you and your ds. My dd will be four in August and starting school in 07' Coming from another Tennesse Momma thank you for helping to pave the way. It is one of my great fears sending dd to school. Im terrified of something going wrong. I havent officially talked to anyone at dd school yet. She will be re-tested when she is Four. I thought it would be best to get all my ducks in a row.. My niece goes to the school dd will be attending and told me they serve peanut butter sandwiches three times a week as an alternative to the regular menu. Three times a week!!!! I also spoke to a mother from the school that I am some what friends with she said oh, there is a little boy with a peanut allergy in sixth grade. I ask how they handled it and she says "He knows what he can have and what he cant" I ask if they have a nut free table or anything like that for him and she said no and he has never had a problem. I couldnt believe what I was hearing. Anyway I think I will have my work cut out for me. Maybe this women didnt know what she was talking about and I will be pleasennnnntly suprised. I didnt mean to get on a rant sorry.. Just wanted to say this is great and will be a big help to many people.

I didn't receive a response from the Mississippi Department of Education regarding if they have something in writing on the state level to protect children with anaphylaxis food allergies. Massachusetts, Texas, and Spokane Washington are the best places to live if you have a child with anaphylaxis food allergies. As far as I am concerned Tennessee has a long way to go to get "Brentson's Law" strict enough for me to allow him to return to a Metro Nashville Public School. Brentson's Law is the beginning but it is definitely not the end. A lot more needs to be done to protect all of our children!

Take Care & May God Bless,
Laura & Brentson Duke
[email]7051996@bellsouth.net[/email]

Did the paper that wrote the article about your situation every follow up with this new info?

The Tennessean has done two articles on Brentson and I. I emailed the Tennessean today to let them know that "Brentson's Law" did passed the House. I also emailed all of the local News Stations and their Anchors with channels 2, 4, & 5 that I have become friends with during this horrible ordeal. I am not sure if they will cover this but I am sure that they will cover the event in which Governor Phil Bredesen signs "Brentson's Law" into Law. I need to find out when Gov. Bredesen is suppose to be signing "Brentson's Law" because we would like to be there to experience that event. I'll let you all know when that will be happening...

Take Care,
Laura & Brentson Duke
[email]7051996@bellsouth.net[/email]

[This message has been edited by Laura Duke (edited March 28, 2006).]

Thanks, Laura. The info you sent me will be great when I approach our elementray school about handling DS's PA when he starts kinder.