Bills We Support

Epilepsy Alliance Florida proudly introduced bills HB 173 and SB 340 through our supporters, Representative Nick Duran and Senator Ileana Garcia. The proposals (HB 173 & SB 340) would allow individual action plans for school staff in the event of a student’s seizure. The plans would include seizure first aid, rescue medications, and the medical history of a student with epilepsy. It would also include the contact information of the parents and the student’s medical provider.

UPDATE:
Tallahassee, Fla., Thursday, March 3, 2022 – Senate Bill 340 and House Bill 173  have both passed with unanimous support by both the full Florida Senate and full Florida House of Representatives, respectively. The legislation is now on its way to Governor Ron DeSantis for his consideration and signature.

Spearheaded by  Representative Nick Duran (D-Miami), HB 173 will create a seizure action plan in public schools for students who live with seizures. The Senate companion SB 340 was successfully championed by  Senator Ileana Garcia (R-Miami). 
“The bipartisan support for the epilepsy community was on full display this year due to passionate advocates like Senator Garcia and Representative Duran supporting this important legislation,” said  Steve Schale, Board Member of Epilepsy Alliance Florida.

HB 173 and SB 340 standardize health care measures and safety for students with epilepsy or seizure disorders by allowing families to create and submit an individualized seizure action plan to receive health care at school. A seizure action plan contains essential information school staff may need to know to help a student who has seizures. It includes information on first aid, parent and health care provider contacts, and medications specifically for that child. School personnel in regular contact with a student with epilepsy will be required to attend training relating to the care of students with a submitted seizure action plan.

“We are truly grateful to the Florida Legislature for passing this important legislation but especially thankful to Senator Garcia and Representative Duran for tirelessly championing this effort throughout the legislative session,” said  Karen Basha Egozi, CEO of Epilepsy Alliance Florida. “Thanks to their hard work and that of  Epilepsy Alliance Florida Board Members, Florida is giving parents the tools to know their kids can attend school safely, and with the full knowledge that if their child has a seizure, school personnel will be ready to deal with it. We look forward to this legislation becoming law.”

Are you passionate about creating real legislative change in your local community? Join our epilepsy advocate network! Help us write letters and make calls that will make a difference in the lives of those living with Epilepsy in Florida.