WI Governor Signs “Dillon’s Law 2.0”
Dillon Mueller was an 18 year old Eagle Scout when he died Oct. 4, 2014, after suffering a severe allergic reaction from a bee sting. There was no epinephrine available in the first aid kits of either the friend with him, or the arriving volunteer first responders. From this tragedy, “Dillon’s Law”, was enacted in Wisconsin, in 2018, to help promote greater access to life saving epinephrine. Recently Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers signed “Dillon's Law 2.0”, building on the previous legislation that helps greater access to life saving epinephrine.
WI Governor Signs “Dillon’s Law 2.0”
April 10th, 2022
MADISON, WI
“Dillon’s Law 2.0,” which expands the availability of epinephrine auto-injectors for individuals having a life-threatening allergic reaction, was signed into law today by Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers.
State Sen. André Jacque (R-De Pere), lead Senate co-author, and Assembly co-author Rep. Shae Sortwell (R-Gibson), said this new law is a common-sense expansion of the original 2018 Dillon’s Law that will make saving lives even easier.
“Dillion’s Law is especially important, because it is life-saving legislation born from tragedy, and a continuing legacy,” said Sen. Jacque.
Eighteen-year-old Dillon Mueller died Oct. 4, 2014, after he suffered a severe allergic reaction from a bee sting when no epinephrine was available in the first aid kits of either the friend with him, or the arriving volunteer first responders.
“Dillon himself was an Eagle Scout preparing to take over the family heritage farm,” Rep. Sortwell said. “Had there been an epinephrine auto-injector available to counteract a simple bee sting, a fine young man with his whole life ahead of him would very likely be alive today.”
This new initiative is supported by numerous healthcare groups and expands the original Dillon’s Law with ease of use modifications requested by epinephrine administration trainers, including the Wisconsin Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons. “Dillon’s Law 2.0 is going to allow anyone that’s trained to take their certificate straight to the pharmacy to pick up any brand or variety of epinephrine that they wish,” said Angel Mueller.
“Dillon’s parents, Angel and George, have made it their mission to educate people about the importance of epinephrine,” Sen. Jacque said. “Even though it only became law in 2018, Dillon’s Law has already saved at least seven lives and has also been successfully enacted in Minnesota, Indiana, and Illinois.”
“Angel and George Mueller have worked tirelessly with other states to save lives so that Dillon’s memory lives on,” Rep. Sortwell said. “Thanks to them, Wisconsin is again leading the way forward in promoting epinephrine legislation nationwide.”
The measure (Assembly Bill 337) cleared the Legislature earlier this year with no recorded opposition, having received unanimous committee votes in both chambers.