Pupil health: seizure disorders.

Existing law requires the governing board of any school district to give diligent care to the health and physical development of pupils and authorizes the governing board of a school district to employ properly certified persons for the work. This bill would, commencing January 1, 2022, require the governing board or governing body of a local educational agency, as defined, to have at each school under its jurisdiction at least one school employee who has received specified training relating to seizure recognition, treatment, and response. The bill would require a school, as defined, to provide training to school personnel with direct contact and supervision of pupils on recognizing the signs and symptoms of seizures and the appropriate steps for seizure first aid. The bill would authorize a school nurse or other designated school personnel who has received the training described above to administer, or a pupil to self-administer, seizure rescue medication or medication prescribed to treat seizure disorder symptoms, if certain conditions and requirements are met. The bill would require a school to collaborate with the parent or guardian of each pupil diagnosed with a seizure disorder to create a seizure action plan. The bill would require a school to provide to all pupils an age-appropriate seizure education program on seizures and seizure disorders. By imposing new duties on school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would require the State Board of Education to adopt regulations to implement these provisions. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.