Senate Approves Beach Bill to Help Students with Seizure Disorders

Trenton – The Senate approved legislation sponsored by Senator James Beach today, which would allow for an individualized health care plan for a public school student with a seizure disorder.

“As a former teacher, I know that an unexpected crisis can occur at any time during the school day. However, if a student has a seizure disorder, appropriate training, complete information and an individualized health care plan can allow school personnel to be better prepared,” said Senator Beach (D-Burlington/Camden). “With the help of Paul St. Pierre, this legislation will go a long way in educating our teachers and school personnel on how to handle a situation when one of their students has a seizure, whether it is in the classroom or at an after school event.”

Under the bill, S-4141, entitled “Paul’s Law,” the parents or guardians of the student with epilepsy or a seizure disorder would annually submit a seizure action plan to the school nurse. The board of education would coordinate the epilepsy and seizure disorder care at school and ensure the training of all staff.

Paul St. Pierre of Maple Shade, the namesake for the bill, is a youth epileptic disorder activist in Senator Beach’s district. Since being diagnosed with epilepsy, he has created a non-profit, Paul’s Purple Warriors NJ, to spread epilepsy awareness and provide support to others living with the disorder.

The bill was released from the Senate by a vote of 40-0.