AUGUSTA – Last week, a measure sponsored by Rep. Amy Kuhn, D-Falmouth, that will provide schools with information about seizure action plans to support students with epilepsy and seizure disorders, was signed into law by Gov. Janet Mills.
LD 211, which was brought to Rep. Kuhn by Falmouth High School graduate and epilepsy advocate Abby Werthmann, directs the Department of Education to provide information about the importance of adopting a seizure action plan, which is an individualized health plan designed to prepare educational staff for the health care needs of any student with a seizure disorder.
“By directing the Department of Education to provide schools with information necessary to implement seizure action plans, Maine schools are taking a significant step towards increasing access and enhancing health equity for all students,” said Kuhn. “I am so proud to have been able to work with Abby on this important legislation, and I deeply admire her commitment to making the state a better place for the K-12 students who will follow her.”
The measure brings Maine in line with 24 other states, and the District of Columbia, that have adopted similar measures to make school environments more safe and secure for students with epilepsy and other seizure disorders. According to recent data, there are currently over 1,100 Maine students with a variation of a seizure disorder.
The new law, which can be found here, will take effect 90 days after the adjournment of the current legislative session.
Representative Kuhn is serving her second term in the Maine House and represents part of Falmouth. She is the House chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary.
Contact:
Brian Lee (Kuhn, Murphy) | 305-965-2744
Ben Barry (Pierce) | 401-702-3628
Photo: (from left to right) William Murphy of the Epilepsy Foundation of New England, Rep. Amy Kuhn, Abby Werthmann, Sen. Tersea S. Pierce and Rep. Kelly Murphy look on as Gov. Janet Mills signs LD 211 into law.