Seizure Awareness and Preparedness Act | ChamberLight
Bills · S 1024
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 1024Neurological disordersEmergency medical services and trauma care
Seizure Awareness and Preparedness Act
INTRO MAR 13· LAST ACTION MAR 13
READING
7MIN
COSPONSORS
1
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
This bill matters because it addresses a critical safety and educational gap for students with epilepsy and seizure disorders. Currently, many school personnel may not have adequate training or clear protocols for handling a student's seizure, which can lead to delays in care, injury, or feelings of isolation for affected students. If this bill becomes law, it would establish a consistent standard of care and preparedness across participating schools, ensuring that staff are equipped to respond appropriately and effectively during a seizure emergency.
Without this bill, the level of seizure preparedness in schools would remain inconsistent, varying widely by district or state. Voters should care because it impacts the health and safety of vulnerable students, ensuring they can attend school with greater confidence that their medical needs will be met, fostering a more inclusive and supportive educational experience. It also provides peace of mind for parents and empowers school staff with essential life-saving skills.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Establishes a competitive grant program for states to apply for federal funding to support students with epilepsy or seizure disorders.
This creates a new funding stream dedicated to a specific health and safety issue in schools.
PROVISION 02
Requires states receiving grants to award subgrants to local school districts, which must use the funds to train school personnel on seizure awareness and preparedness.
This ensures that funds directly impact school staff's ability to respond to seizures and manage student health plans.
PROVISION 03
Mandates that school nurses coordinate epilepsy and seizure disorder care and ensure all staff are trained at least every two years.
This establishes regular, standardized training and a clear point person for managing seizure care within schools.
PROVISION 04
Defines and recommends specific information to be included in 'individualized health care plans' and 'individualized emergency health care plans' developed for students.
This provides clear guidelines for creating consistent and comprehensive care plans for students with seizure disorders.
PROVISION 05
Requires school bus drivers transporting students with epilepsy or seizure disorders to receive specific notice, training, and emergency contact information.
This extends critical seizure awareness and response training to school transportation, covering a significant part of a student's school day.
This bill matters because it addresses a critical safety and educational gap for students with epilepsy and seizure disorders. Currently, many school personnel may not have adequate training or clear protocols for handling a student's seizure, which can lead to delays in care, injury, or feelings of isolation for affected students. If this bill becomes law, it would establish a consistent standard of care and preparedness across participating schools, ensuring that staff are equipped to respond appropriately and effectively during a seizure emergency.
Without this bill, the level of seizure preparedness in schools would remain inconsistent, varying widely by district or state. Voters should care because it impacts the health and safety of vulnerable students, ensuring they can attend school with greater confidence that their medical needs will be met, fostering a more inclusive and supportive educational experience. It also provides peace of mind for parents and empowers school staff with essential life-saving skills.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Establishes a competitive grant program for states to apply for federal funding to support students with epilepsy or seizure disorders.
This creates a new funding stream dedicated to a specific health and safety issue in schools.
high
Requires states receiving grants to award subgrants to local school districts, which must use the funds to train school personnel on seizure awareness and preparedness.
This ensures that funds directly impact school staff's ability to respond to seizures and manage student health plans.
high
Mandates that school nurses coordinate epilepsy and seizure disorder care and ensure all staff are trained at least every two years.
This establishes regular, standardized training and a clear point person for managing seizure care within schools.
med
Defines and recommends specific information to be included in 'individualized health care plans' and 'individualized emergency health care plans' developed for students.
This provides clear guidelines for creating consistent and comprehensive care plans for students with seizure disorders.
med
Requires school bus drivers transporting students with epilepsy or seizure disorders to receive specific notice, training, and emergency contact information.
This extends critical seizure awareness and response training to school transportation, covering a significant part of a student's school day.
School staff, including those working with school-sponsored programs outside of the regular school day, must be trained in the care of students with epilepsy and seizure disorders.
GLOSSARY
AI-written
Epilepsy
A brain disorder that causes recurrent, unprovoked seizures, which are bursts of uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain that can cause changes in a person's movement, behavior, feelings, and level of consciousness.
Seizure disorder
A medical condition characterized by sudden, uncontrolled disturbances in brain function that can affect a person's behavior, movements, feelings, and awareness. Epilepsy is one type of seizure disorder.
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA)
A comprehensive federal law that funds primary and secondary education, emphasizing high standards and accountability. This bill would add a new program to this existing law.
Grant program
A government initiative that provides financial assistance (grants) to eligible organizations, such as states, to carry out specific projects or programs.
Subgrant
A portion of a grant that a primary grantee (like a state) awards to a secondary grantee (like a local school district) to carry out activities aligned with the original grant's purpose.
Local Educational Agency (LEA)
A public board of education or other public authority legally constituted within a State to administer elementary or secondary schools, typically referring to a school district.
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTS
MAR 13, 25
Introduced in Senate
INTROREFERRAL
MAR 13, 25
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
A document created by a student's medical team and parents, outlining specific steps and procedures for school staff to follow during a particular medical emergency, such as a seizure.
Individualized health care plan
A document created by a student's medical team and parents that details the health services a student needs at school, ensuring consistent daily and routine medical care.
