TRENTON – The Senate passed legislation sponsored by Senators James Beach and Joseph Vitale that would revise the existing statute concerning the provision of care for students with epilepsy and seizure disorders enrolled in public school.
Under the bill, S-2376, all staff employed by a board of education would be required to be trained in the care of students with epilepsy and seizure disorders once every five years. Current law requires such training be completed, but does not require that the training be provided at regular intervals.
“Approximately 12,000 children under the age of 17 suffer from epilepsy and seizures throughout New Jersey, making it one of the most common neurological disorders,” said Senator Beach (D-Camden/Burlington). “It is not only important that all school staff know how to react when a student experiences a seizure, but also that they are kept up to date on best practices as they evolve.”
The training must include a Department of Health-approved online or in-person course of instruction provided by a nonprofit national organization that supports the welfare of individuals with epilepsy and seizure disorders.
“Students who have seizure disorders are more likely to be chronically absent than those who do not,” said Senator Vitale (D-Middlesex). “For these students, proper first aid and continuity of care at school are crucial to making sure that they are not denied the same access to education as their peers.”
Under existing statute, parents or guardians seeking epilepsy or seizure disorder care for a student while at school are required to annually submit to the school nurse a seizure action plan for the student and provide written authorization for the provision of epilepsy or seizure disorder care. The school nurse is then required to develop an individualized health care plan and an individualized emergency health care plan for the student and update the plans annually.
The bill was passed in a 37-0 vote.