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HR 1189

Commending Maximus Quintero for his service as a legislative intern in the office of State Representative Mary E. González.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Mary González

Establish the National Plan for Epilepsy to coordinate federal research and care, improve early diagnosis and treatment, and provide ongoing assessments via an advisory council.

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#quintero #maximus(nu1i5) #resolutions--congratulatory&honorary(i0705)
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Bill Summary · HR 1189

Summary — H.R. 1189 (119th Congress): “National Plan for Epilepsy Act”

Note on conflicting metadata: the bill packet you provided includes two different descriptions for H.R. 1189 (one a short congratulatory resolution for Maximus Quintero and the other a substantive bill to establish a national epilepsy plan). This summary covers the substantive legislative text titled the “National Plan for Epilepsy Act” (introduced by Rep. Jim Costa), which is the version inserted in the bill text and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Purpose

To establish a coordinated, federal “National Plan for Epilepsy” to prevent, diagnose, treat, and cure epilepsy and to improve care, quality of life, and research coordination across federal agencies and with non‑federal stakeholders.

Key provisions

  • Amends Part B of title III of the Public Health Service Act by adding Section 320C (“Programs Relating to Epilepsy”).
  • Creates the “National Plan for Epilepsy” within the Department of Health and Human Services (the Secretary):
    • Maintain and periodically update an integrated national plan addressing prevention, diagnosis, treatment, cure, and quality of life.
    • Provide public information, including estimates of federal investments in epilepsy research and services.
    • Coordinate epilepsy research and services across all federal agencies and encourage development of new, safe and effective treatments and approaches.
    • Improve early diagnosis and coordination of care; review epilepsy’s physical, mental, and social impacts; solicit public comments and community consensus.
    • Coordinate with international bodies where possible.
  • Annual assessment requirement:
    • Not later than 2 years after enactment, and annually thereafter, the Secretary must assess national progress and include priority recommendations and implementation steps.
  • Advisory Council on Epilepsy Research, Care, and Services:
    • Establish and maintain an Advisory Council to advise the Secretary.
    • Membership includes federal agency representatives (e.g., NIH, CDC, FDA, CMS, HRSA, DoD, VA) and appointed non‑federal experts:
    • 4 individuals each living with a different type of epilepsy
    • 2 family caregivers
    • 2 licensed/accredited healthcare providers (including ≥1 epileptologist/neurologist)
    • 2 biomedical researchers (basic, translational, clinical/population, or drug development)
    • 3 representatives of separate nonprofit organizations with epilepsy research or care experience
    • Meetings at least quarterly; all meetings public. Convene a Federal/non‑Federal research meeting within 2 years and every 2 years thereafter.
    • Reporting: Advisory Council must report to the Secretary and Congress (first report within 18 months after enactment, then every 2 years) with evaluations and recommendations (full text truncated in provided material).

Who is affected

  • People living with epilepsy and their caregivers (patients, families, patient advocacy groups)
  • Healthcare providers and epilepsy specialists
  • Biomedical researchers and academic institutions
  • Federal agencies involved in health, veterans, and defense sectors
  • Nonprofit organizations involved in epilepsy research, care, and services

Procedural/timeline aspects

  • Introduced: Feb 11, 2025 (Rep. Jim Costa)
  • Referred to House Committee on Energy and Commerce (2/11/2025)
  • Reported enrolled: May 24, 2025
  • Companion Senate bill: S. 494
  • The statute requires initial Secretary assessments and Advisory Council reporting within 18 months to 2 years of enactment and recurring periodic reports/assessments thereafter.

Funding and limitations

  • The provided text sets program and reporting requirements but does not specify authorization levels or detailed appropriations. Implementation and impact will depend on appropriations and agency actions.

Potential impact

If funded and implemented, the statute would centralize federal epilepsy activities, improve research coordination and priority‑setting, enhance early diagnosis and care coordination, and provide a structured advisory and reporting framework to monitor national progress.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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