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HB 344

Public universities and colleges; require to have epinephrine auto-injectors and AEDs in every building on campus.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Orlando Paden

Mississippi bill requiring all public university buildings to stock epinephrine auto-injectors and AEDs died in committee without advancing to full legislative consideration.

Died In Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 344

Legislative bill overview

HB 344 would mandate that all public universities and colleges in Mississippi maintain epinephrine auto-injectors (EpiPens) and automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in every building on campus. The bill aims to ensure rapid access to life-saving emergency equipment for students and staff experiencing severe allergic reactions or cardiac emergencies.

Why is this important

Sudden cardiac arrest and severe anaphylaxis can be fatal within minutes if untreated. Strategic placement of AEDs and epinephrine auto-injectors significantly increases survival rates. Campus environments serve thousands of students and employees daily, making accessibility to emergency equipment a public health priority, particularly for institutions already managing large populations in dispersed facilities.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and maintenance burden: Equipping every building with AEDs and EpiPens requires substantial upfront capital investment and ongoing maintenance, inspection, and replacement of expired medications—expenses that may strain already tight university budgets
  • Unclear implementation standards: The bill lacks specificity on maintenance protocols, staff training requirements, liability protections, and whether institutions must stock medications or merely make them accessible, creating compliance ambiguity
  • Existing regulatory landscape: Many campuses already maintain some emergency equipment; the mandate's relationship to current health and safety standards and whether it duplicates existing requirements needs clarification

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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