Plan to legalize public self-administration of insulin sponsored by State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) gained house approval on Friday. The measure would reduce public health scares for diabetics and guardians of children with diabetes.

“As a child, I had to learn how to administer my mother’s insulin shot,” said Hunter, member of the Illinois Legislative Diabetes Caucus. “I understand firsthand that timely insulin injections can save lives.”

The Public Self-care of Diabetes Act would prevent people diagnosed with diabetes from facing prosecution due to public administration of insulin shots.

In 2012, the Illinois Department of Public Health found that over the past 20 years, the number of people diagnosed with diabetes more than doubled to 800,000 in 2011.

Diabetes, the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S., is a top legislative priority for Hunter who continues to work on initiatives tackling the epidemic.

Senate Bill 3149 now goes to Governor Pat Quinn’s desk to be signed into law.