Bill Would Allow EpiPens In Some Maryland Food Service Establishments

OCEAN CITY — While the legislation makes no specific reference to a tragic incident in late October that claimed the life of one of the resort’s young pillars of the community, a bill was introduced in the General Assembly this week allowing food-service operations to administer auto-injectable epinephrine, or EpiPens, in the event of an emergency.

In late October, local businessman Chris Trimper suffered an extreme allergic reaction during a fundraising reception at the food service operation in the Ocean Downs Casino and did not survive. Trimper was administered an EpiPen at the scene when paramedics arrived, but continued to suffer seizures and did not survive.

Such tragedies are often followed by what-ifs as mourners attempt to come to grips with a loss. In the wake of Trimper’s passage in October, resort officials began to question if the outcome might have been different if the restaurant stored and maintained EpiPens and had staff on hand trained in their usage. Research confirmed Maryland is one of just 14 states that currently do not allow private entities to obtain, store and utilize EpiPens during emergency situations.

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