SB420 (DeSteph) mandates that all school nurses and all school division employees who have regular contact with students to be trained every two years regarding treating students with seizures and seizure disorders. Virtually all school-based staff, even those not directly responsible for supervising students and those who do not even have contact with students with seizure disorders, will be required to complete this training. This is an unfunded mandate.
SB420 also allows parents of such students to submit a seizure management plan to the school. There will be no opportunity for school staff to have any input into the plan. This will allow parents to unilaterally dictate to school staff how a student will be accommodated within the school. This is contrary to how all other medical conditions are handled in schools, in which school staff and parents work in cooperation to develop Section 504 plans and/or health plans.
SB420 is unnecessary. Local school divisions are in the best position to determine which staff require training and school staff should be involved in the development of the seizure management plan.
Please ask your Delegate to VOTE NO on SB420.
Here is a link to find your Delegate: https://whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov/
Here is a link to the bill: https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=201&typ=bil&val=sb420
