| 20 | 14 | | |
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| 21 | 15 | | Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia: |
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| 22 | 16 | | |
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| 23 | 17 | | 1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 32.1-283.9 as follows: |
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| 24 | 18 | | |
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| 25 | 19 | | 32.1-283.9. Investigation of deaths involving Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy; autopsy protocol; information; training. |
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| 26 | 20 | | |
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| 27 | 21 | | A. For purposes of this section, "Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy" or "SUDEP" means the sudden and unexplained death of a healthy individual with epilepsy while in a reasonable state of health, during normal activities, and in benign circumstances, without a known structural cause of death. A finding of SUDEP is definite when clinical criteria are met and an autopsy reveals no alternative cause of death, such as stroke, myocardial infarction, or drug intoxication, although there may be evidence of a seizure. |
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| 28 | 22 | | |
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| 29 | 23 | | B. An autopsy shall be performed in the case of any death that is suspected to be attributable to Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy. |
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| 30 | 24 | | |
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| 31 | 25 | | C. Once the death certificate has been completed, within 30 days of such completion, the Office of Vital Records shall send to the next of kin information regarding the benefits of and process for submitting the decedent's medical information, including information about the decedent's history of epilepsy and seizures and post mortem examination, to the North American SUDEP Registry. |
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| 32 | 26 | | |
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| 33 | 27 | | D. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner shall publish resources with information on SUDEP and a SUDEP death investigation form on its website. |
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| 34 | 28 | | |
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| 35 | 29 | | E. The Chief Medical Examiner and all assistant medical examiners shall complete one hour of virtual training in the investigation of SUDEP per triennium. Newly appointed medical examiners shall complete such training within 90 days of appointment. |
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| 36 | 30 | | |
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| 37 | 31 | | F. These duties shall be performed up to the amount funded by public and private institutions. |
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| 38 | 32 | | |
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| 39 | 33 | | 2. That the provisions of this act shall become effective on January 1, 2026. |
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