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House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	November 13, 2023 03:33 PM
From:	Representative Lisa A. Borowski and Rep. Craig Williams
To:	All House members
Subject:	Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP)

A Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) relates to death in individuals with epilepsy that are not connected to an injury, drowning, or other known causes. Most cases of a SUDEP happen either during a seizure or right after a seizure. A SUDEP is considered rare, for every 1,000 individuals with epilepsy at least one person may die from a SUDEP each year.     It is for these reasons and in recognition of November being National Epilepsy Awareness Month (NEAM) that we plan to introduce a legislative bill package aimed at raising awareness for a SUDEP, as well as enhance the accuracy of a SUDEP determination by coroners. This series of legislation (otherwise known as Morgan Rose’s Law) would, among other things:    Require that all autopsies include an inquiry to determine whether the death was a direct result of a seizure or epilepsy and report on the death certificate that a SUDEP is the cause of death. This will mirror similar legislation already passed in Virginia, North Carolina, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Illinois.    Require a health care provider who diagnoses a patient with epilepsy or provides care to a patient that has been diagnosed with epilepsy to provide the patient with a fact sheet with information related to a SUDEP.    Please join me in co-sponsoring this crucial legislation that would ensure that those diagnosed with epilepsy are receiving vital information, as well as improve the accuracy of a SUDEP confirmation by coroners.

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Document #1

Description:	This bill would require that all autopsies include an inquiry to determine whether the death was a direct result of a seizure or epilepsy and require that if the findings in an autopsy are consistent with known or suspected SUDEP, then the coroner must indicate on the death certificate that a SUDEP is the cause or suspected cause of death.

Document #2

Description:	This bill would require a primary care provider who diagnoses a patient with epilepsy or provides care to a patient that has been diagnosed with epilepsy to provide the patient and the patient’s guardian with a fact sheet with information related to a SUDEP.