Bill Text: DE SCR129 | 2023-2024 | 152nd General Assembly | Draft
Bill Title: Designating March 26, 2024, As Epilepsy Awareness Day" In Delaware.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Engrossed) 2024-03-26 - Passed In House by Voice Vote [SCR129 Detail]
Download: Delaware-2023-SCR129-Draft.html
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SPONSOR: |
Sen. Hoffner & Rep. Griffith & Rep. Neal |
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Sens. Sokola, Hansen, Huxtable, Lawson, Buckson, Richardson, Wilson; Reps. Baumbach, Morrison, Parker Selby, Ramone, Yearick |
DELAWARE STATE SENATE
152nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 129
DESIGNATING MARCH 26, 2024, AS “EPILEPSY AWARENESS DAY" IN DELAWARE.
WHEREAS, Epilepsy Awareness Day is a global effort dedicated to promoting epilepsy awareness around the world and increasing the public’s knowledge of the neurological condition affecting nearly 50 million people worldwide; and
WHEREAS, epilepsy affects almost 3,000,000 Americans, over 10,000 Delawareans, and approximately 6 out of every 1,000 students in the U.S.; and
WHEREAS, epilepsy is a neurological seizure disorder that impacts the central nervous system and produces brief disturbances in the normal electrical function of the brain, temporarily affecting a person’s consciousness, bodily movements, or sensations; and
WHEREAS, seizures are the third most common school emergency, and an estimated 1,300 Delawareans between the ages of 0 and 17 have epilepsy; and
WHEREAS, epilepsy not only impacts the lifestyle of individuals with epilepsy, but also their families, friends, and communities; and
WHEREAS, seizures are unpredictable and can occur at any time; and
WHEREAS, epilepsy can affect anyone regardless of gender, race, or age, as it is the fourth most common neurological disorder, and 1 in 26 people will develop epilepsy in their lifetime; and
WHEREAS, the general public’s lack of knowledge and misinformation about epilepsy leads to unnecessary stigma, discrimination, lost job opportunities, and an inability to appropriately respond when encountering a person experiencing a seizure, along with many other social and economic implications; and
WHEREAS, those with epilepsy can lead normal lives, especially when their epilepsy is controlled; and
WHEREAS, efforts are thus being made to create “seizure safe schools” for the 470,000 American children who have epilepsy; and
WHEREAS, Senate Bill 24 of the 152 nd General Assembly is the Seizure Safe Schools Act (“the Act”) in Delaware that would allow schools to designate and train 2 employees at the school in the administration of rescue medication or treatment prescribed to treat a student with a seizure disorder; and
WHEREAS, the Act requires all school employees, bus drivers, and other relevant school personnel with direct contact and supervision of students to be trained every 2 years in administering first aid to a student suffering from a seizure; and
WHEREAS, the Act further requires a parent or parents of a student diagnosed with a seizure disorder to collaborate with the school to create a seizure action plan, which includes written authorization to administer seizure rescue medication or treatment and specific instructions for administering medication and treatment from the student’s health care provider; and
WHEREAS, the Act provides that any person that provides assistance under the Act to a student suffering from a seizure is not liable in any criminal or civil action, unless the person’s acts or omissions are grossly negligent; and
WHEREAS, Epilepsy Awareness Day, which began as a grassroots initiative in 2008, is now celebrated annually on March 26 th in various states and countries throughout the world as an effort to reduce stigma and to improve the quality of life for individuals with epilepsy.
NOW, THEREFORE:
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 152 nd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that March 26, 2024, is hereby designated as “Epilepsy Awareness Day”.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the General Assembly calls upon State agencies and the people of Delaware to undertake suitable efforts to increase epilepsy awareness throughout the State of Delaware in recognition thereof.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate shall deliver a suitably prepared copy of this Resolution to the Governor of the State of Delaware.
SYNOPSIS
This Concurrent Resolution designates March 26, 2024, as "Epilepsy Awareness Day" in Delaware and calls upon State agencies and the people of Delaware to undertake suitable efforts to increase epilepsy awareness.
Author: Senator Hoffner
