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PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 2482
PRINTER'S NO. 3951
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
1820
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY QUINN, BURNS, DIAMOND, BERNSTINE, CALTAGIRONE,
COX, O'MARA, BARRAR AND HOWARD, SEPTEMBER 17, 2019
AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, JUNE 23, 2020
AN ACT
Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
act relating to the public school system, including certain
provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
laws relating thereto," in school health services, providing
for seizure recognition and related first aid training.
THIS ACT MAY BE REFERRED TO AS THE DOMINATE EPILEPSY LAW.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding a
section to read:
Section 1414.11. Seizure Recognition and Related First Aid
Training.-- (A) Beginning with the school year 2021-2022 and
each year thereafter:
(1) A school nurse shall MAY complete a Department of Health
approved online course of instruction OR IN-PERSON TRAINING for
school nurses regarding management of a student with seizures
that includes information about seizure recognition, a seizure
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action plan and related first aid.
(2) A professional employe of a school entity, other than a
school nurse, whose duties at the school entity include regular
DIRECT contact with students shall MAY complete a Department of
Health online course of instruction OR IN-PERSON TRAINING
regarding awareness of a student with seizures that includes
information about seizure recognition and related first aid.
(3) The training required under this section shall be
PROVIDED AT NO COST AND credited toward a professional
educator's continuing professional education requirement under
section 1205.2, any staff development requirements for
paraprofessionals under 22 Pa. Code ยง 14.105 (relating to
personnel) and a school or system leader's continuing
professional education requirement under section 1205.5.
(4) COMPLETION OF SEIZURE DISORDER TRAINING SHALL NOT BE
CONSTRUED TO OBLIGATE A PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYE TO ADMINISTER
MEDICATION OR PROVIDE MEDICAL CARE TO A STUDENT WITH A SEIZURE
DISORDER.
(5) A PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYE ACTING IN GOOD FAITH AND WITHIN
THE SCOPE OF THE AUTHORITY PROVIDED UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL NOT
BE LIABLE FOR CIVIL DAMAGES AS A RESULT OF AN ACT OR OMISSION IN
THE COURSE OF ANY TRAINING OR RELATED FIRST AID UNDER THIS
SECTION.
(4) (6) The Department of Health may IN CONSULTATION WITH
THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, SHALL identify, develop or approve
an online course of instruction OR IN-PERSON TRAINING provided
by a nonprofit national foundation NO LATER THAN JANUARY 1,
2021, that supports the welfare of individuals with epilepsy and
seizure disorders to satisfy the training required under this
section.
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(5) (7) The Department of Health, in consultation with the
Department of Education, shall adopt guidelines to administer
this section.
(B) FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, THE FOLLOWING TERMS SHALL
HAVE THE FOLLOWING MEANINGS:
"PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYE." THE TERM SHALL HAVE THE MEANING
GIVEN IN SECTION 1101.
"SCHOOL ENTITY." A SCHOOL DISTRICT, INTERMEDIATE UNIT, AREA
CAREER AND TECHNICAL SCHOOL, CHARTER SCHOOL, CYBER CHARTER
SCHOOL OR REGIONAL CHARTER SCHOOL.
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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