Article Source: https://www.allergicliving.com/2025/07/26/federal-dillons-law-would-widen-school-epinephrine-access/

ArticDillon Mueller’s family has big hopes for newly introduced federal legislation that would allow good Samaritans to use epinephrine in schools to save lives. Lawmakers introduced a revised version of Dillon’s Law in the U.S. Congress in memory of the Wisconsin 18-year-old who suffered a fatal allergic reaction to a bee sting.

Wisconsin Congressman Glenn Grothman and Michigan Congresswoman Debbie Dingell reintroduced the federal bipartisan Dillon’s Law on July 22, 2025. This bill, however, takes a new approach, focusing specifically on schools. 

The proposed law incentivizes states to allow any trained individual – not only trained school employees – to carry and use epinephrine devices at schools during allergy emergencies. It would provide civil liability protections to trained responders who act in good faith. 

States that empower the good Samaritans would receive priority for grant funds under Dillon’s Law, which would amend the Public Health Service Act.

Grothman had introduced the legislation in 2021 and 2023. However, the earlier versions would have authorized epinephrine use in a wider range of settings.

Dillon’s mom, Angel Mueller, hopes that the new school-focused wording helps push the bill forward into law. If the revised language gains lawmakers’ support, then it will provide a base to to expand beyond school grounds in the future.

“Just having the foot in the door is really going to help,” Angel Mueller tells Allergic Living.

George Mueller, Dillon’s dad, urges the food allergy community to contact their state representatives and senators to support the federal Dillon’s Law. “I’m hopeful that the law will go through Congress this time,” he says.

Dillon’s Law: Protecting Other Families

The Muellers of Mishicot, Wisconsin have been advocating for expanded access to epinephrine since their son died of anaphylaxis in 2014. Epinephrine was not available while first responders attempted to help Dillon, who wasn’t aware he had a stinging insect allergy.

In 2017, Wisconsin became the first state to pass Dillon’s Law. Minnesota then adopted the legislation. Illinois is the latest state to move Dillon’s Law forward, passing the state House then Senate in the spring of 2025.   

Angel Mueller says the training component of the law is essential. She stresses the need to understand the importance of using epinephrine quickly and how to recognize an anaphylactic reaction.

“I didn’t know about it [anaphylaxis] before Dillon died. I don’t want other families to learn about it the way I did,” she says.

The Muellers run the free “Do it for Dillon” Epinephrine Training Program in their state. Angel and George and volunteers have trained over 5,000 people in Wisconsin since launching the program.

Of the new bill, Grothman says: “This commonsense, bipartisan solution is already making a difference in our state, and it can do the same nationwide.”

“Dillon’s Law is a critical step forward in empowering trained individuals on school grounds to act swiftly and save lives,” said Dr. James Tracy, president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. “Practicing allergists see firsthand how rapidly anaphylaxis can become life-threatening without immediate access to epinephrine.”  

The bill has the support of allergy non-profits including the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), FARE and the Allergy & Asthma Network. “By encouraging states to allow any trained individual to administer epinephrine at schools, Dillon’s Law will make it more likely that someone experiencing anaphylaxis receives emergency epinephrine when every second counts,” says Kenneth Mendez, AAFA’s CEO.

Dillon’s Legacy of Helping Others

Dillon, the youngest of the Muellers’ three boys, was a 2014 high school graduate, and worked on his family’s dairy farm. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America, and was a member of the local chapter of the Future Farmers of America.

He loved to ride dirt bikes and snowmobiles, collecting more than 200 trophies in his racing career. His family fondly notes his love of racing around the motocross track in the cow yard.

The Muellers also remember their son’s eager willingness to help others. When he was stung by the bee, he had been helping his best friend with yard work. The teen offered to assist so the pair could get to the Homecoming game sooner, his mom recalls. The friend tried to save him by administering CPR until help arrived. Despite his efforts and those of emergency responders, Dillon did not survive.

“I think he would be very proud that we took something bad and made something good out of it. Something I’m sure he would have done,” Angel Mueller says.

His family continues to advocate for legislation to prevent more tragedies from anaphylaxis due to a lack of epinephrine access.

They will hold the 10th annual Dillon Mueller Memorial Race on September 14, 2025, raising funds for the Dillon Mueller Memorial Fund. The public is welcome to attend or to donate online. Encouraging notes and letters are also much appreciated to “keep us going,” Angel Mueller says.

Other Epinephrine Bills

Another family has introduced federal legislation during the 119th Congress session that aims to expand epinephrine access. Gio’s Law would authorize a federal grant to provide epinephrine devices and training to law enforcement officers.

The legislation, introduced in June 2025, is named for Giovanni Cipriano, 14, who died of anaphylaxis due to his peanut allergy in 2013.

In Wisconsin, another family, coincidentally also named Mueller, is advocating for legislation in memory of their son who died in November 2024. Andrew Mueller, 20, had not known he was allergic to peanuts and did not own epinephrine. He suffered a swift and fatal anaphylactic reaction after eating peanut M&M’s.

Senate Bill 156, which was introduced in their state in March 2025, would require first responders to be trained to recognize the symptoms of anaphylaxis and use epinephrine devices.

Dillon’s family is advocating for that bill, too. “We think of Andrew’s family a lot and we are behind their efforts. Their loss is weighing on us,” Angel Mueller says.le Source: