HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3251        FILED ON: 1/18/2019

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3872

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Shaunna L. O'Connell

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to providing for seizure management plans in schools.

_______________

PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3251        FILED ON: 1/18/2019

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3872

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-First General Court
(2019-2020)

_______________

An Act relative to providing for seizure management plans in schools.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Chapter 71 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:–

Section 98. (a) The department of elementary and secondary education shall adopt guidelines for the development and implementation of seizure management plans for each school district. The department shall consult with the department of public health in the development of these guidelines.

(b) The guidelines adopted by the department shall include:

(i) procedures for the development of an individual seizure action plan tailored to the individual’s needs at the written request of the student's parent or guardian, and involving, but not limited to the parent or guardian, the student's health care provider, the student's classroom teacher, appropriate school personnel, the student if appropriate, the school nurse; and any other school employee or volunteer assisting in the seizure action plan.

(ii) procedures for regular review of the student’s seizure action plan;

(iii) information to be included in a seizure action plan, including:

(1)the responsibilities and appropriate staff development for teachers and other school personnel;

(2)an emergency care plan;

(3)the identification of allowable actions to be taken;

(4)medications the student is taking including rescue treatments, and signs of adverse reactions or toxicity;

(5)ensuring that any FDA-approved medication prescribed by the treating physician can be administered to the student by authorized personnel;

(6)the extent to which the student is able to participate in the student's plan; and

(7)any other information necessary for teachers and other school personnel in order to offer appropriate assistance and support to the student.

The department shall also ensure that the information and allowable actions included in a seizure action plan as required in this section meets or exceeds guidelines for the management of children with seizures in the school setting;

(iv) maintenance of a seizure observation record or log maintained by the school;

(iv) information and staff development to be made available to teachers and other school personnel in order to appropriately support and assist students who experience seizures, including, but not limited to requiring school personnel, including principals, guidance counselors, teachers, and student support personnel, to complete a seizure recognition and first-aid response training; and

(v) inclusion of the individualized seizure management plan in the student’s school file.

(c) The department shall ensure that these guidelines are updated as necessary and shall ensure that the guidelines and any subsequent changes are published and disseminated to each city, town, regional school district