Pennsylvania child care providers will soon need to train staff to recognize severe allergic reactions and keep epinephrine on hand under a new state law signed by Gov. Josh Shapiro in October.

The law, known as Elijah's Law and designated Act 68 of 2026, grew out of House Bill 928, Fox 56 reported. It passed the state House 197-6 and the Senate 49-1, according to Fox 56.

Shapiro signed it shortly after the legislature approved the final version on Oct. 21, Allergic Living reported. The law takes effect 180 days after signing, according to Fox 56.

About 8 percent of children and teens have a potentially dangerous food allergy, according to WVIA.

Some young children cannot describe their symptoms or may not know they have an allergy until after exposure, the Morning Call reported.

The law is named for Elijah-Alavi Silvera, a 3-year-old who died of anaphylaxis in 2017 after being served a grilled cheese sandwich at his New York City preschool, according to Allergic Living. He had a severe dairy allergy. Staff at the center knew about it but did not administer an EpiPen, the Morning Call reported.

His parents, Thomas Silvera and Dina Hawthorne, co-founded the Elijah-Alavi Foundation to push for legislation in every state. Silvera, who has lived in Allentown since 2019, told the Morning Call the effort is personal.

"Don't fear the device, fear the delay," Silvera told the Morning Call.

State Reps. Bridget Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna, and Kristin Marcell, R-Bucks, sponsored the bill. Kosierowski said in a news release that the law ensures "daycare personnel are prepared to act when there's no time to waste," according to the Morning Call.

Under the law, child care staff must complete anaphylaxis training covering how to recognize symptoms, store and administer epinephrine and follow emergency procedures, Fox 56 reported. Facilities must also share information about allergic reactions with parents in English and Spanish, according to Allergic Living.

One key condition: facilities' ability to acquire and stock epinephrine is tied to funding designated to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services for that purpose, according to both Fox 56 and Allergic Living. Whether that funding has been appropriated is not addressed in available reporting.

Silvera told Allergic Living he raised the funding issue with legislators. "We recognize the financial pressures facing childcare providers, especially smaller facilities and those in rural communities," he said, according to Allergic Living.

Pennsylvania is the eighth state to pass a version of Elijah's Law, according to Allergic Living. Versions exist in California, Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, New York, Arkansas and Virginia.

Jenna Riemenschneider, vice president of advocacy and policy for the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), told Allergic Living the group will keep pushing for nationwide adoption. "Where a child lives shouldn't decide whether their childcare center is prepared for an emergency," she said, according to Allergic Living.

The law applies to child care providers statewide, including those in Monroe County. The 180-day implementation window means providers should expect the requirements to take effect in spring 2027.