Bill Text: CA ACR167 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Students with Epilepsy Month.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-2)

Status: (Passed) 2010-09-14 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Res. Chapter 154, Statutes of 2010. [ACR167 Detail]

Download: California-2009-ACR167-Introduced.html

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BILL NUMBER: ACR 167	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Ma
   (Coauthors: Assembly Members Brownley, Hall, Jeffries, and Bonnie
Lowenthal)
   (Coauthor: Senator Huff)

                        MAY 24, 2010

   Relative to Students with Epilepsy Month.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 167, as introduced, Ma. Students with Epilepsy Month.
   This measure would recognize September 2010 and each September
thereafter as Students with Epilepsy Month. This measure would also
encourage the Epilepsy Foundations of California to continue to join
with the educational and health communities to conduct epilepsy
education, awareness, and treatment.
   Fiscal committee: no.



   WHEREAS, Epilepsy is a chronic health condition that affects over
3 million Americans. More Americans are affected by epilepsy than by
cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, and Parkinson'
s disease combined; and
   WHEREAS, An estimated $15.5 billion in annual medical costs in the
United States result from epilepsy; and
   WHEREAS, Epilepsy affects approximately 400,000 Californians,
90,000 of whom are children under 18 years of age; and
   WHEREAS, While epilepsy can begin at any age, it most commonly
occurs in children and the elderly; and
   WHEREAS, Epilepsy affects individuals with varying severity,
ranging from a very limited effect on the individual to devastating
impacts on all aspects of life. Epilepsy is truly disabling for those
living with uncontrolled seizures, due to frequent seizures,
impairments to cognition, memory, and functional skills, and a highly
compromised quality of life; and
   WHEREAS, Early diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy is critical to
both maximizing long-term prognosis and saving lives by recognizing
and appropriately responding to seizure emergencies; and
   WHEREAS, A seizure can take many forms and is caused by a brief
change in the normal functioning of the brain's electrical system.
While seizures are most often associated with convulsions, in fact, a
seizure can also be as subtle as strange sensations or perceptions,
altered awareness, brief staring episodes, abnormal motions or
postures, stiffness, or confused speech; and
   WHEREAS, Epilepsy is the second leading cause of death and
disability in children under 14 years of age, and up to 50,000 deaths
occur annually in the United States from prolonged seizures, known
as status epilepticus, and other seizure-related causes; and
   WHEREAS, In children with epilepsy uncontrolled seizures damage
the child's developing brain and can impact academic performance,
memory, learning, and result in social-emotional challenges; and
   WHEREAS, Students with epilepsy have the ability to achieve their
educational goals with access to effective and appropriate school and
medical support services. Further, access to interagency support
systems strengthens the quality of life for children with epilepsy;
and
   WHEREAS, Recognizing Students with Epilepsy Month will bring
attention to this severe and often underreported and underrecognized
condition. Students with Epilepsy Month will help address and dispel
misperceptions associated with epilepsy and positively demonstrate
the ability of children to succeed in spite of their seizures; and
   WHEREAS, Students with Epilepsy Month will provide an opportunity
for the school community to become better educated and empowered to
best meet the needs of students with epilepsy; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature recognizes September 2010
and each September thereafter as Students with Epilepsy Month; and be
it further
   Resolved, That the Epilepsy Foundations of California are
encouraged to continue to join with the educational and health
communities to conduct epilepsy education, awareness, and treatment;
and be it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.