HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3139        FILED ON: 1/16/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3961

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Joan Meschino

_________________

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 education and prevention of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy and other related epilepsy mortalities.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Joan Meschino

3rd Plymouth

1/16/2025

John Barrett, III

1st Berkshire

6/16/2025

Jennifer Balinsky Armini

8th Essex

6/16/2025

Sean Garballey

23rd Middlesex

6/16/2025

Patricia D. Jehlen

Second Middlesex

6/16/2025

Steven Ultrino

33rd Middlesex

6/16/2025

Ryan C. Fattman

Worcester and Hampden

6/24/2025

Rodney M. Elliott

16th Middlesex

7/2/2025

Michelle L. Badger

1st Plymouth

7/15/2025

Adrian C. Madaro

1st Suffolk

7/15/2025

Meghan K. Kilcoyne

12th Worcester

7/22/2025

Natalie M. Higgins

4th Worcester

8/5/2025

Adrianne Pusateri Ramos

14th Essex

9/23/2025


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3139        FILED ON: 1/16/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3961

By Representative Meschino of Hull, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3961) of Joan Meschino relative to education and prevention of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy and other related epilepsy mortalities.  Public Health.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

_______________

 

An Act relative to education and prevention of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy and other related epilepsy mortalities.

 

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

SECTION 1. Section 4G of chapter 111 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph:-

The department shall develop informational resources on sudden unexpected death in epilepsy or “SUDEP” and other epilepsy-related mortalities to provide to epilepsy patients, their families and health care providers. The information shall include, but not be limited to: (i) current and evidence-based information about SUDEP and other epilepsy-related mortality risk factors; (ii) contact information for non-profit organizations that provide support services for patients with epilepsy conditions; and (iii) information on mitigating the risks of SUDEP and other epilepsy-related mortalities. The department shall make the informational resources available on its website in a manner that is easily accessible to patients, families and health care providers.

SECTION 2. Not later than 1 year following the passage of this act, the department of public health shall submit to the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate and the joint committee on public health a report including a summary of relevant metrics, which shall include, but not be limited to: (i) the information gathered for the informational resources; (ii) its efforts to provide this information to patients, families and health care providers; (iii) the effects of the informational resources on patient outcomes; and (iv) obstacles encountered in disseminating informational resources. The department shall incorporate public input in the development of the report.

SECTION 3. The department of public health shall conduct a statewide campaign to raise public awareness about SUDEP and other epilepsy-related mortalities.