Epilepsy Alliance America is proud to support this legislation which was reintroduced in March, 2025.
You can read the Press Release on Senator Booker's website.

(March 14, 2025) WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced legislation that would create a grant program to support students who have epilepsy or a seizure disorder. The Seizure Awareness and Preparedness Act would authorize funding to ensure all students nationwide are surrounded by trained and prepared individuals in the event of a seizure. U.S. Representatives Donald Norcross (D-NJ-01), Jim Costa (D-CA-21), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01) introduced companion bipartisan legislation in the House.

In 2020, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed into law the first-of-its-kind in New Jersey “Paul’s Law,” named in honor Paul St. Pierre, a New Jersey teenager with epilepsy. This legislation authorized the development of individualized health care plans for students with seizure disorders or epilepsy, and it mandates that school personnel are trained in how to care for students with such conditions.

About half of the states in the country have passed similar legislation to mandate or encourage seizure recognition and first aid training of school personnel, as well as other provisions to help ensure students with epilepsy are safe and supported in the school environment. The Seizure Awareness and Preparedness Act would continue this momentum by authorizing funding to help ensure all students nationwide are surrounded by trained and prepared individuals.

“Nearly half of America has followed in New Jersey’s footsteps and passed legislation to create safer environments for children with epilepsy,” said Senator Booker. “It’s now time we take action at the federal level, which is why I’m pleased to stand alongside my colleague in the New Jersey delegation to reintroduce the Seizure Awareness and Preparedness Act. This legislation will equip our schools with the resources they need so school personnel are trained and prepared in the event that someone has a seizure.”

"I'm honored to introduce the Seizure Awareness and Preparedness Act to build on the progress we've made in New Jersey with Paul's Law and ensure school staff members across the nation are prepared if a student has a seizure in the classroom," said Congressman Norcross, Member of the House Committee on Education and Workforce. "We know that about 470,000 children and teenagers live with epilepsy in the United States, and all our schools must know how to keep them safe."

“This legislation is crucial for creating a safer school environment for children with epilepsy and seizure disorders. By funding response training, we ensure school staff are prepared to act, providing every child the support they need to succeed,” said Congressman Costa.

"Medical emergencies like seizures demand immediate action from school personnel to ensure the safety of all individuals," said Congressman Fitzpatrick. "Our primary duty is to protect our children, and the Seizure Awareness and Preparedness Act is key to fostering safer learning environments and providing families with much-needed peace of mind. I am championing this bipartisan effort to ensure that no child facing a medical crisis is left without the care they need."

“On behalf of my son Paul and Paul’s Purple Warriors I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Senator Booker and Congressman Norcross for introducing The Seizure Awareness and Preparedness Act which is a significant step towards reducing the stigma surrounding epilepsy while ensuring greater safety for the 456,000 children in the United States who live with a epilepsy. Their dedication to this causes brings hope to families like ours and reinforces the critical need for education, awareness, and protection for all those affected by epilepsy. Thank you for being a voice for the epilepsy community and working towards a future where every child with a seizure disorder is safe and supported in school,” said Colleen Quinn, President of Paul’s Purple Warriors.

"By providing schools with essential resources and training, we are empowering educators, protecting students, and fostering a culture of understanding. The Seizure Awareness and Preparedness Act is a vital step in ensuring students with epilepsy receive the support they need to learn safely," said Liza Gundell, CEO of Epilepsy Services of New Jersey and Board Chair for Epilepsy Alliance America.

The grants provided by the Seizure Awareness and Preparedness Act could be used for:

• Training of school personnel to administer or assist with the administration of seizure medications.
• Training and education of students on seizure awareness and preparedness.
• Recruiting, hiring, and retaining compliance staff who are responsible for ensuring that all training and program requirements related to seizure awareness, preparedness, and management are consistently met.

Seizures are spontaneous surges in uncoordinated electrical activity in the brain that affect body movement or function, sensation, behavior or awareness. It is estimated that 1 in 10 Americans will have at least one seizure in their lifetime. Epilepsy is a common neurological condition characterized by recurring seizures and is believed to develop in 1 out of 26 people in their lifetime. There are approximately 456,000 children and teenagers living with active epilepsy in the United States.

To see the full list of endorsing organizations, click here.
To read the full text of the bill, click here.

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