Gio's Law Authorizes $25M Annually for Police Epinephrine Kits and Training

This bill, officially titled Gio’s Law, is straightforward: it sets up a new federal grant program to equip law enforcement officers with life-saving epinephrine auto-injectors (like EpiPens) and provide them with standardized training on how to use them. Starting in Fiscal Year 2026 and running through 2030, Congress has authorized $25 million annually for this purpose. The goal is to turn police cars into mobile first-aid stations capable of responding to severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) when seconds count.

Turning Patrol Cars into Emergency Response Units

The core of the bill is the Law Enforcement Access to Emergency Epinephrine Grant Program, managed by the Attorney General. State and local governments can apply for this money to cover two specific costs: purchasing epinephrine products and funding officer training. This means that if you or someone you know has a severe allergy, there’s a higher chance that the first law enforcement officer on the scene will be equipped to administer aid before an ambulance arrives. The law is clear that grant money can be used for standard auto-injectors or newer needle-free options, keeping the program flexible with technology.

The Civil Liability Catch: Why the Fine Print Matters

There’s a crucial hurdle for jurisdictions wanting this federal cash: they must get a certification from their State Attorney General confirming that officers who administer epinephrine are protected from civil lawsuits. This is a big deal. For officers, it means they are shielded if they act in good faith to save a life, removing a potential barrier to intervention. For the public, it means the officer is more likely to act quickly. This requirement (Section 2) ensures that the program won’t just put the medicine in the car, but also provide the legal assurance needed for officers to actually use it in an emergency.

Standardizing Training and Tracking Outcomes

To ensure officers aren't just guessing, the Attorney General must develop or adopt standardized training materials within six months of the law passing. This training will teach officers how to spot the signs of anaphylaxis and how to correctly use the product on someone they "reasonably believe" is having a reaction. This is where the quality of the federal training will be critical, as that "reasonable belief" standard is subjective and relies entirely on solid instruction.

Beyond equipping and training, the bill mandates accountability. Section 3 requires the Attorney General to start collecting and publicly reporting data annually on how often Federal, State, local, and tribal law enforcement officers actually administer epinephrine. This public data will offer real insight into how frequently these interventions occur and the overall effectiveness of the program. Finally, the bill requires a joint public awareness campaign (Attorney General and Health and Human Services) to educate the public on anaphylaxis symptoms and what first responders are trained to do. This ensures that the public knows the symptoms to look for and what to expect from an officer during a life-threatening allergic reaction.