I am a licensed child care provider in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and I respectfully oppose the proposed requirement mandating that child care facilities maintain stocked EpiPens on-site.

While the intent of this mandate is to enhance child safety, it places a significant financial burden and increased liability on providers, many of whom operate small businesses with limited resources. In addition, this requirement effectively shifts medical responsibility onto child care staff who are not medical professionals, creating serious concerns regarding training, legal exposure, and emergency decision-making.

Rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all mandate, I urge policymakers to reconsider this requirement and explore more practical, cost-effective alternatives that prioritize child safety without placing unreasonable obligations on providers. Such alternatives could include enhanced parent-provided medication protocols, voluntary participation programs, or access to emergency medical support tailored to individual facility needs.

Thank you for your consideration and for your continued efforts to support both children and child care providers across Virginia.