Lifesaving Legislation in California Needs Support

Senate Bill (SB) 161 is important to the safety and well being of children with epilepsy attending school in California. The bill authorizes volunteer, trained, non-medical personnel in schools to administer emergency medication to students with epilepsy suffering from prolonged seizures who require access to a life-saving emergency medication such as Diastat. Appropriate emergency intervention is extremely time-sensitive as these prolonged seizures (cluster seizures or status epilepticus) can have devastating consequences for children, including brain injury and death.

The bill has passed out of the California State Senate with strong bipartisan support. Advocates must remain active to move the bill through the assembly and onto the Governor's desk to be signed into law. Unfortunately, the bill continues to face strong opposition but the efforts of all those making phone calls, sending letters and testifying in Sacramento continues to make the difference in ensuring the bipartisan support for SB161. Epilepsy California and the Epilepsy Foundation National Office would like to pack the hearing room with supporters.

Senate Bill 161 will be heard this Thursday, August 25, in the Assembly Committee on Appropriations, Room 4202 at the State Capitol in Sacramento. At this time, no specific time has been set for the hearing on Thursday. It is expected to begin following the General Session that day. Those interested in attending may call the Committee Office at (916) 319-2081 for the exact time.

If you would like to help get this legislation passed, please call or write to Assembly Speaker Pérez to ask him to support Senate Bill 161. He may be reached at: Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez (916) 319-2046 or Speaker.Perez@assembly.ca.gov.

Click here and here for more information on SB 161.