Booker Introduces Seizure Awareness and Preparedness Act to Support Students with Epilepsy Nationwide

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced legislation that would create a grant program to support students who have epilepsy or a seizure disorder. 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. U.S. Representatives Donald Norcross (D-NJ-01), Don Bacon (R-NE-02), Jim Costa (D-CA-21), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01) introduced companion bipartisan legislation in the House.

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

“We must equip our schools with the resources they need so school personnel can be trained and prepared in the event that someone has a seizure,” said Senator Booker. “Students with epilepsy deserve to go to school without fear, and I am proud to introduce legislation which builds on the progress of states like New Jersey so we can create safer environments for our children to thrive.”

“I’m proud 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. “We know that about 470,000 children and teenagers live with epilepsy in the United States, and all our schools must know how to respond and keep them safe.”

“This legislation is vital to creating a safer school environment for kids with epilepsy and seizure disorders. By providing grants for response training, we are ensuring that school staff are prepared to step into action. It’s about making sure every child has the support they need to thrive in school,” said Congressman Costa.

“This vital legislation will equip our schools with the essential training and resources to ensure that our students with epilepsy, both in PA-1 and across the nation, are surrounded by knowledgeable and prepared individuals ready to act. Safeguarding our children is our foremost responsibility, and the Seizure Awareness and Preparedness Act will create safer learning environments and offer families the reassurance they need,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick.

“On behalf of my son Paul and Paul’s Purple Warriors, I would like to express our heartfelt thank you to Senator Booker and Congressman Norcross for spearheading The Seizure Awareness and Preparedness Act. This legislation will not only decrease the stigma that surrounds epilepsy, it will help to provide safety in schools for the 456,000 children that have a seizure disorder in The United States,” said Colleen Quinn, President of Paul’s Purple Warriors. 

The grants provided by the Seizure Awareness and Preparedness Act could be used for:

• 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.

Seizures are spontaneous surges in uncoordinated electrical activity in the brain that affect body movement or function, sensation, behavior or awareness. It is estimated that 1 in 10 Americans will have at least one seizure in their lifetime. Epilepsy is a common neurological condition characterized by recurring seizures and is believed to develop in 1 out of 26 people in their lifetime. There are approximately 470,000 children and teenagers living with active epilepsy in the United States.

To see the full list of endorsing organizations, click here.

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

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