S. 1024 — Seizure Awareness and Preparedness Act

This section establishes a grant program under a new section of Title IV of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.) to support students with epilepsy or seizure disorders. The Secretary of Education awards competitive grants to states, which award subgrants to local educational agencies (LEAs) to fund training of school personnel on seizure awareness and preparedness, including the use of individualized health care plans (i.e., documents outlining needed school health services, signed by the student's health care provider, parent, and school nurse) and individualized emergency health care plans (i.e., procedural guidelines for emergencies, similarly signed). LEAs must ensure school nurses coordinate epilepsy and seizure disorder care and train all staff, including those in after-school programs, every two years using Department-approved courses from nonprofit organizations supporting individuals with epilepsy or seizure disorders; permissive uses of subgrant funds include (1) training personnel to administer seizure medications, (2) educating students on seizure awareness, (3) hiring compliance staff, and (4) other Secretary-approved activities. The provision recommends that such plans include information on symptoms and care, exercise participation, accommodations for activities, staff education, educational impacts, student self-management, and communication protocols.