Bill
S 422
Requires at least one trained staff member at every school to recognize seizures and administer FDA-approved rescue meds or manually use VNS magnets, with plans and authorization i
Status & Process (as provided)
- Filed as Senate Docket No. 1523 on 01/16/2025; formally introduced 02/05/2025 and read twice.
- Referred to relevant committees (Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; Committee on Education). A public hearing was scheduled for 07/21/2025 (Gardner Auditorium). Current status listed as “REFERRED TO CITIES 1.”
- If enacted, the bill takes effect one year after enactment.
Purpose
- Establish minimum school‑level policies and training to ensure safe identification and response to students with seizure disorders, including authorized administration of seizure rescue medications and manual use of Vagus Nerve Stimulator (VNS) magnets.
Key Provisions
- Trained staff: Each public school (and each private/parochial school district) must have at least one employee at each school trained to administer or assist with:
1. FDA‑approved seizure rescue medications or medications prescribed to treat seizure symptoms; and
2. Manual dose application of prescribed electrical stimulation using a VNS magnet.
- Training content: Must include administration of medications and manual VNS use, recognition of seizure signs/symptoms, and appropriate response/first aid.
- Registered nurse option: A full‑time school nurse who assumes responsibility for these tasks satisfies the training requirement.
- Broad staff training: Schools must provide seizure recognition and first‑aid training to principals, guidance counselors, teachers, bus drivers, classroom aides and other personnel with direct student contact.
- Alignment with standards: Training/guidelines must be fully consistent with materials developed by the Epilepsy Foundation of America (or successor organization); districts may use other adequate programs consistent with those standards.
- Parental & medical authorization: Before administering medication, the school must have:
- Written parental/guardian authorization;
- A written health‑care practitioner statement containing student name; medication name & purpose; dosage; route; frequency; and circumstances for administration;
- Medication provided in pharmacy‑labeled, sealed packaging.
- Seizure action plan: Parents/guardians must collaborate with school personnel to create an individualized written Seizure Action Plan. Plans must be kept on file with the nurse/administrator and distributed to staff/volunteers responsible for the student.
- Duration/renewal: Written authorizations are valid for the school year and must be renewed each subsequent school year following the same requirements.
- Scope: Requirements apply only to schools that have an enrolled student diagnosed with a seizure disorder or who has an FDA‑approved seizure rescue medication or prescribed VNS magnet.
- Student education: Every public school must provide age‑appropriate seizure education to all students consistent with Epilepsy Foundation and Department of Public Health guidance.
- Liability protection: Schools, districts, employees, or agents acting in good faith and in substantial compliance with the student’s individual health plan and licensed health‑care instructions are protected from criminal/civil liability for services provided under this section.
Who is Affected
- Public, private, and parochial K–12 schools in Massachusetts that enroll at least one student with a seizure disorder or prescription for seizure rescue medication/VNS magnet.
- Students diagnosed with seizure disorders and their families.
- School nurses, designated trained staff, teachers, bus drivers, aides, administrators, and volunteers.
- School districts (administrative duties and recordkeeping).
Other notable points / potential impacts
- No dedicated funding or staffing mandates beyond the training and recordkeeping requirements; practical implementation may require local training resources or hiring/assigning staff.
- The bill emphasizes standardized, evidence‑based training and creates legal safeguards for staff acting in good faith.
- Effective one year after enactment, allowing districts time to adopt training and policies.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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