On July 1, 2022, a new law became effective in Virginia regarding seizure management and seizure action plans in schools. The new law provides important new protections for students with seizure disorders.
Under the new law:
- Parents of students with seizure disorders may provide their child’s school with a seizure management and action plan developed by the student’s doctor for review by school employees with whom the student has regular contact. This plan would identify needed health care services and specify medication to be administered when the student has a seizure.
- School divisions shall require all school nurses to complete online training regarding treating students for seizures that includes information about seizure recognition and related first aid. This training shall take place every other year.
- School divisions shall require all employees who have regular contact with students to complete online training regarding treating students for seizures that includes information about seizure recognition and related first aid. This training shall take place every other year.
The provision for review of the seizure action plan by “employees with whom the student has regular contact” and the requirement for training for “all employees whose duties include regular contact with students” are quite broad. This presumably includes teachers, aides, bus drivers, related service providers, cafeteria staff, and after-care providers.