Requires the department of elementary and secondary education and DOH to adopt policies, rules and regulations for the administration of seizure rescue medications for children who have been medically identified as having epilepsy/seizure disorder.

Plain-English Summary

This bill would require Rhode Island's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the Department of Health (DOH) to create clear, official policies and rules for how seizure rescue medications can be given to students at school. Seizure rescue medications are fast-acting drugs used to stop or shorten a seizure when it occurs. Right now, there may not be consistent statewide guidelines for how schools handle these situations, and this bill would direct the two state agencies to fill that gap.

The bill specifically focuses on children who have been formally identified by a medical professional as having epilepsy or a seizure disorder. Under the new rules, schools would have a defined process for administering these medications when a student has a seizure — helping ensure that trained staff can respond quickly and appropriately rather than waiting for a parent or paramedic to arrive. The goal is to create a uniform standard across all Rhode Island schools so that every affected student receives the same level of care regardless of which school they attend.

This bill primarily affects students with epilepsy or seizure disorders, their families, school nurses, trained school staff, and school administrators across Rhode Island. Families would likely benefit from greater peace of mind knowing their child's school has a clear plan in place. Schools and staff would benefit from having official guidance to follow. The bill has already passed the Senate and is currently moving through the House education process.