New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

New Jersey Assembly Bill A2255

Introduced
1/9/24  
Refer
1/9/24  

Caption

Requires boards of education to ensure that all staff are trained in care of students with epilepsy and seizure disorders every five years.

Impact

The bill mandates that schools develop and maintain individualized health care plans and emergency plans for students diagnosed with epilepsy or seizure disorders. Parents or guardians must submit a seizure action plan annually, allowing school nurses to tailor care to the specific needs of each student. This increase in training frequency is expected to improve the responsiveness of school staff during medical emergencies related to epilepsy, potentially reducing the risks associated with untrained personnel managing such incidents.

Summary

Assembly Bill A2255 aims to enhance the safety and care of students with epilepsy and seizure disorders in New Jersey's public schools. The legislation requires that all staff employed by a board of education receive training in the care of students with these conditions every two years. This amendment to existing legislation, known as 'Paul's Law,' P.L.2019, c.290, emphasizes the importance of well-trained personnel capable of addressing the unique needs of students with epilepsy and seizure disorders, thereby fostering a supportive educational environment.

Contention

While there is general support for enhancing the care of students with epilepsy, some may raise concerns regarding the feasibility of implementing such training requirements consistently across all educational institutions. Furthermore, the financial implications of training programs and resources needed to ensure compliance may prompt debate among stakeholders. The necessity of such regular training could also be contested in terms of resource allocation, especially in underfunded school districts.

Companion Bills

NJ S2376

Same As Requires boards of education to ensure that all staff are trained in care of students with epilepsy and seizure disorders every five years.

NJ S1557

Carry Over Requires boards of education to ensure that all staff are trained in care of students with epilepsy and seizure disorders every two years.

NJ A3537

Carry Over Requires boards of education to ensure that all staff are trained in care of students with epilepsy and seizure disorders every two years.

Previously Filed As

NJ S2376

Requires boards of education to ensure that all staff are trained in care of students with epilepsy and seizure disorders every five years.

NJ A3537

Requires boards of education to ensure that all staff are trained in care of students with epilepsy and seizure disorders every two years.

NJ S1557

Requires boards of education to ensure that all staff are trained in care of students with epilepsy and seizure disorders every two years.

NJ H0173

Care of Students with Epilepsy or Seizure Disorders

NJ A1673

"Right to Mental Health for Individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing Act"; establishes certain requirements concerning provision of mental health services to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.

NJ SB45

Education; care of students being treated for epilepsy or a seizure disorder; provide

NJ A2408

Requires public schools to develop policy for emergency administration of nasal seizure rescue medication and use of manual vagus nerve stimulator on student with seizure disorder.

NJ SB2333

Public schools; require staff training to assist with seizures.

NJ S1067

Directs DHS to conduct landscape analysis of available mental health services.

NJ SB2150

Public schools; require staff training to assist with seizures.

Similar Bills

NJ A3537

Requires boards of education to ensure that all staff are trained in care of students with epilepsy and seizure disorders every two years.

NJ A3185

Permits dogs as service and emotional support animals at State veterans' residential facilities.

NJ A479

Allows corporation business tax and gross income tax credits to businesses employing certain persons with developmental disabilities.

NJ A348

Permits dogs as service and emotional support animals at State veterans' residential facilities.

NJ A2408

Requires public schools to develop policy for emergency administration of nasal seizure rescue medication and use of manual vagus nerve stimulator on student with seizure disorder.

NJ A5336

Requires public schools to develop policy for emergency administration of nasal seizure rescue medication and use of manual vagus nerve stimulator on students with seizure disorder.

NJ AJR182

Designates October 23 of each year as "Sudden, Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) Awareness Day" in New Jersey.

NJ A2519

Requires school districts to provide instruction on seizure recognition and first aid.