SB 1260 - This act changes "epinephrine auto-injector" to "epinephrine delivery device" throughout statute. This act adds child care facilities to the definition of "authorized entity" in current law permitting such entities to stock a supply of epinephrine delivery devices for use in an emergency. Finally, this act establishes "Elijah's Law". Before July 1, 2028, each licensed child care provider shall adopt a policy on allergy prevention and response with a focus on potentially deadly food-borne allergies, as specified in the act. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shall develop a model policy or policies before July 1, 2027. This act is substantially similar to provisions in the truly agreed to and finally passed SS/SCS/HCS/HB 2372 (2026), SS/SCS/SB 841 (2026), HCS/HBs 1826 et al (2026), HCS/SS/SB 7 (2025), HCS/SB 94 (2025), SB 783 (2025), SCS/HCS/HB 943 (2025), and HB 580 (2025). SARAH HASKINS

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Patty Lewis

Missouri bill requires child care facilities to adopt written allergy policies, establishing safety procedures for managing food and environmental allergies in children.

Second Read and Referred S Education Committee

Legislative bill overview

SB 1260 mandates that child care facilities in Missouri establish and implement written allergy policies to protect children with food and environmental allergies. The bill requires facilities to document allergies, communicate with parents, and establish procedures for managing allergic reactions in their care settings.

Why is this important

Allergic reactions are a leading cause of preventable emergencies in child care settings, with some reactions potentially life-threatening. Standardized allergy policies create consistent safety protocols across facilities, helping prevent cross-contamination, ensuring emergency medications like epinephrine auto-injectors are accessible, and reducing liability for both providers and parents.

Potential points of contention

Implementation costs: Small child care facilities may face expense in developing comprehensive policies, training staff, and purchasing safety equipment or alternative food options

Liability and enforcement: Unclear penalties for non-compliance and questions about whether facilities or parents bear responsibility if policies fail to prevent incidents

Policy specificity: Debate over how detailed state-mandated policies should be versus allowing facilities flexibility to adapt to their specific populations and resources