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H 3961

Town of Ridgeville, 150th anniversary

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Terry Alexander and 121 co-sponsors

Requires the Massachusetts DPH to create and publish SUDEP/epilepsy mortality resources, run a statewide awareness campaign, and report on dissemination and outcomes.

Introduced and adopted
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Bill Summary · H 3961

Summary: H.3961 (HD 3139) – An Act relative to education and prevention of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy and other related epilepsy mortalities

Overview

H.3961, introduced March 31, 2025 by Rep. Joan Meschino, seeks to educate the public and healthcare community about SUDEP (sudden unexpected death in epilepsy) and other epilepsy-related mortalities, and to develop resources and a statewide awareness campaign. The bill would be implemented by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) and does not include explicit funding provisions in the text provided. The current reporting date for the bill has been extended to October 21, 2025.

What the bill would do

  • Create informational resources on SUDEP and related epilepsy mortalities for patients, families, and healthcare providers.
  • Ensure resources cover:
    • Current, evidence-based risk factors for SUDEP and related mortalities
    • Contact information for non-profit organizations offering support services
    • Information on mitigating risks associated with SUDEP and related mortalities
  • Make these resources accessible on the DPH website in a user-friendly format.

Key provisions

Section 1

  • Amends Section 4G of Chapter 111 (General Laws) to require the DPH to develop and disseminate informational resources on SUDEP and other epilepsy-related mortalities.
  • Resources must include risk factors, support organization contacts, and risk-mitigation guidance.
  • Resources must be publicly accessible via the DPH website.

Section 2

  • Requires the DPH to produce a report within 1 year after the act’s passage.
  • The report must include:
    • A summary of information gathered for the resources
    • Efforts to disseminate information to patients, families, and healthcare providers
    • Effects of the resources on patient outcomes
    • Obstacles to disseminating the information
  • Public input must be incorporated into the report.

Section 3

  • Requires the DPH to conduct a statewide public awareness campaign about SUDEP and related epilepsy mortalities.

Affected parties

  • Epilepsy patients and their families, who would gain access to educational resources.
  • Healthcare providers who treat epilepsy patients, who would receive consistent information to share with patients.
  • Public health organizations and non-profit groups that provide epilepsy-related support services.
  • General public, through a statewide awareness campaign.

Procedural/timeline notes

  • Introduced: March 31, 2025
  • Referred to the Public Health Committee: March 31, 2025
  • Hearing: Scheduled (June 25, 2025, 10:00 AM–1:00 PM, in A-1)
  • Senate concurrence: April 3, 2025 (listed as action)
  • Status update: Reporting date extended to Tuesday, October 21, 2025 (as of September 11, 2025)

Related bill

  • HD 3139 (the identifying House docket number for this bill; the materials note it as replacing the prior version)

Practical impact

  • Establishes a formal, government-led framework for SUDEP education and prevention.
  • Standardizes information and resources for patients, families, and providers.
  • Enables measurement of dissemination effectiveness and outcomes, informing future public health strategies.
  • Initiates a statewide awareness effort to improve recognition, discussion, and risk-reduction related to epilepsy mortalities.

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

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