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S2350A
2026 -- S 2350 SUBSTITUTE A
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LC004209/SUB A
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS
Introduced By:
Senators DiPalma, Gallo, Valverde, and E Morgan
Date Introduced:
January 30, 2026
Referred To:
Senate Education
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Chapter 16-21 of the General Laws entitled "Health and Safety of Pupils" is
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hereby amended by adding thereto the following sections:
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16-21-44. Seizure safe schools.
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(a) "Seizure action plan" means a standardized written, individualized health plan designed
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to acknowledge and prepare for the healthcare needs of a student diagnosed with a seizure disorder.
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The parent or guardian of each student diagnosed with a seizure disorder shall collaborate with
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their child's physician as well as the school nurse teacher to create an individualized seizure action
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plan. The seizure action plan shall include:
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(1) Assurance of access and administration of any medication prescribed to treat seizure
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disorder symptoms as approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration or any
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successor agency; and
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(2) Physician instructions in administering seizure medications, and manual vagus nerve
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stimulation, as well as the recognition of the signs and symptoms of seizures and the appropriate
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steps to be taken to respond to these symptoms
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(b) Prior to administering medication prescribed to treat seizure disorder symptoms, the
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student's parent or guardian shall:
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(1) Provide the school with a written authorization to administer the medication at school;
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(2) Provide a written statement from the student's healthcare practitioner, which shall
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contain the following information:
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(i) Student's name;
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(ii) The name and purpose of the medication;
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(iii) The prescribed dosage;
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(iv) The route of administration;
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(v) The frequency that the medication may be administered;
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(vi) The circumstances under which the medication may be administered; and
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(vii) Provide the prescribed medication to the school in its unopened, sealed package with
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the label affixed by the dispensing pharmacy intact.
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(c) The department of elementary and secondary education shall issue guidance
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establishing procedures for the development and content of seizure action plans.
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16-21-45. Requirements for administration of seizure rescue medications in a school
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setting.
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(a) The department of elementary and secondary education and the department of health
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shall issue guidance for administration of seizure rescue medications that are applied via nasal route
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if prescribed by the child’s physician, to provide for the health and safety of children who have
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been medically identified as having epilepsy/seizure disorder. This guidance shall include
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procedures whereby:
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(1) A parent or legal guardian of any child may expressly authorize school employees or
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those employed on behalf of the school, for when there is no school nurse immediately available,
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to administer a United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved seizure rescue
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medication to the child in case of an emergency, while at school or school sponsored activities.
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Any school employee or those employed on behalf of the school who are authorized to administer
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seizure rescue medications shall be trained in seizure first aid using the Epilepsy Foundation
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Seizure Training for School Personnel Program and American Heart Association or American Red
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Cross CPR certification;
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(2) The pre-dosed and pre-packaged seizure rescue medication shall be kept in a locked,
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secure, designated area, readily available;
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(3) Seizure rescue medication administration training may be provided by a licensed
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physician, physician assistant, advanced practiced registered nurse, or registered nurse; provided
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however, in no case shall school nurse teachers be required to provide training;
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(4) The school administration shall allow staff to voluntarily assist with the emergency
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administration of a seizure rescue medication when authorized by a parent or legal guardian; and
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(5) The school district shall provide training to all staff who volunteer to assist with the
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administration of a seizure rescue medication.
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(b) A school employee, including administrative staff, shall not be subject to penalty or
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disciplinary action for refusing to be trained in the administration of a seizure rescue medication.
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(c) A parent or legal guardian shall provide a seizure action plan or physician’s order,
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signed by the student's healthcare provider, that prescribes the care and assistance needed by the
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student including administration of seizure rescue medications.
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(d) The statements and seizure action plan required by this section shall be kept on file in
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the office of the school nurse and/or school administrator and with the individual authorized to
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administer the seizure rescue medication.
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(e) The seizure action plan required by this section shall be distributed to any school
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personnel or volunteers, identified in the seizure action plan, who is responsible for the supervision
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or care of the student with a seizure disorder. A student’s parent/guardian shall distribute the
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authorized seizure action plan required by this section to any non-school personnel identified in the
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seizure action plan, who is responsible for the supervision or care of the student with a seizure
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disorder.
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(f) The presence of a registered nurse employed full-time by a school who assumes
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responsibility for the administration of seizure medications, and the administration oversight of
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vagus nerve stimulation, shall fulfill the requirements of this section.
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(g) The permission for the administration of any of the medications subject to the
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provisions of this section shall be effective for the school year in which it is granted and shall be
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renewed each following school year upon fulfilling the requirements of this section.
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(h) The requirements of this section shall apply only to schools that have a student enrolled
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who has a seizure disorder or has a seizure medication prescribed by the student's healthcare
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provider to treat seizure disorder symptoms approved by the FDA or any successor agency.
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(i) A school district, school district employee, or agent acting in good faith and in
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substantial compliance with the student's individual health plan, including a seizure action plan,
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and the instructions of the student's licensed healthcare professional, that provides assistance or
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services under this section shall not be liable for civil damages in their individual, governmental,
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corporate, or other capacities as a result of the services provided under this section to students with
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epilepsy or seizure disorders.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS
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This act would require the department of elementary and secondary education and the
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department of health to issue guidance for the administration of seizure rescue medications
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administered for students who have been medically identified as having epilepsy/seizure disorder.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC004209/SUB A - Page 4 of 3