WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Representatives Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Jim Costa (CA-21), and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) introduced the Seizure Awareness and Preparedness Act to create a grant program to support students who have epilepsy or a seizure disorder. Based on a New Jersey law, the Seizure Awareness and Preparedness Act would authorize funding to ensure all students nationwide are surrounded by trained and prepared individuals in the event of a seizure. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

"I'm honored to introduce the Seizure Awareness and Preparedness Act to build on the progress we've made in New Jersey with Paul's Law and ensure school staff members across the nation are prepared if a student has a seizure in the classroom," said Congressman Norcross, Member of the House Committee on Education and Workforce. "We know that about 470,000 children and teenagers live with epilepsy in the United States, and all our schools must know how to keep them safe."

“This legislation is crucial for creating a safer school environment for children with epilepsy and seizure disorders. By funding response training, we ensure school staff are prepared to act, providing every child the support they need to succeed,” said Congressman Costa.

"Medical emergencies like seizures demand immediate action from school personnel to ensure the safety of all individuals," said Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1). "Our primary duty is to protect our children, and the Seizure Awareness and Preparedness Act is key to fostering safer learning environments and providing families with much-needed peace of mind. I am championing this bipartisan effort to ensure that no child facing a medical crisis is left without the care they need."

“Nearly half of America has followed in New Jersey’s footsteps and passed legislation to create safer environments for children with epilepsy,” said Senator Booker. “It’s now time we take action at the federal level, which is why I’m pleased to stand alongside my colleagues in the New Jersey delegation to reintroduce the Seizure Awareness and Preparedness Act. This legislation will equip our schools with the resources they need so school personnel are trained and prepared in the event that someone has a seizure.” 

In 2020, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed “Paul’s Law” into law, the first-of-its-kind in New Jersey named in honor of Paul St. Pierre, a New Jersey teenager with epilepsy. The legislation authorized the development of individualized health care plans for students with seizure disorders or epilepsy and mandates that school personnel are trained on how to care for students with such conditions.

About half of the states in the country have passed similar legislation to mandate or encourage seizure recognition and first aid training of school personnel, as well as other provisions to help ensure students with epilepsy are safe and supported in the school environment. The Seizure Awareness and Preparedness Act would continue this momentum by authorizing funding to help ensure all students nationwide are surrounded by trained and prepared individuals, including:

• Training of school personnel to administer or assist with the administration of seizure medications.

• Training and education of students on seizure awareness and preparedness.

• Recruiting, hiring, and retaining compliance staff who are responsible for ensuring that all training and program requirements related to seizure awareness, preparedness, and management are consistently met.

To read the full text of the bill, click here.

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