DESIGNATING MARCH 26, 2025, AS “EPILEPSY AWARENESS DAY" IN DELAWARE.

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Sen. Hoffner & Rep. Griffith

Sens. Brown, Buckson, Cruce, Hansen, Hocker, Huxtable, Lawson, Lockman, Mantzavinos, Paradee, Pettyjohn, Pinkney, Poore, Richardson, Seigfried, Sokola, Sturgeon, Townsend, Walsh, Wilson; Reps. Hensley, K. Johnson, Morrison, Ross Levin, Yearick

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 33

DESIGNATING MARCH 26, 2025, AS “EPILEPSY AWARENESS DAY" IN DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, Epilepsy Awareness Day is a global effort dedicated to promoting epilepsy awareness around the world and increasing the public’s knowledge of the neurological condition affecting nearly 50 million people worldwide; and

WHEREAS, epilepsy affects almost 3,000,000 American adults, almost 500,000 American children, over 10,000 Delawareans, and approximately 6 out of every 1,000 students in the U.S.; and

WHEREAS, epilepsy is a neurological seizure disorder that impacts the central nervous system and produces brief disturbances in the normal electrical function of the brain, temporarily affecting a person’s consciousness, bodily movements, or sensations; and

WHEREAS, seizures are the third most common school emergency, and an estimated 1,300 Delawareans between the ages of 0 and 17 have epilepsy; and

WHEREAS, epilepsy not only impacts the lifestyle of individuals with epilepsy, but also their families, friends, and communities; and

WHEREAS, seizures are unpredictable and can occur at any time; and

WHEREAS, epilepsy can affect anyone regardless of gender, race, or age, as it is the fourth most common neurological disorder, and 1 in 26 people will develop epilepsy in their lifetime; and

WHEREAS, the general public’s lack of knowledge and misinformation about epilepsy leads to unnecessary stigma, discrimination, lost job opportunities, and an inability to appropriately respond when encountering a person experiencing a seizure, along with many other social and economic implications; and

WHEREAS, those with epilepsy can lead normal lives, especially when their epilepsy is controlled; and

WHEREAS, Epilepsy Awareness Day, which began as a grassroots initiative in 2008, is now celebrated annually on March 26

th

in various states and countries throughout the world as an effort to reduce stigma and to improve the quality of life for individuals with epilepsy.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 153

rd

General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that March 26, 2025, is hereby designated as “Epilepsy Awareness Day”.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the General Assembly calls upon State agencies and the people of Delaware to undertake suitable efforts to increase epilepsy awareness throughout the State of Delaware in recognition thereof.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate shall deliver a suitably prepared copy of this Resolution to the Governor of the State of Delaware.

SYNOPSIS

This Concurrent Resolution designates March 26, 2025, as "Epilepsy Awareness Day" in Delaware and calls upon State agencies and the people of Delaware to undertake suitable efforts to increase epilepsy awareness.

Author: Senator Hoffner