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MEDIA ALERT
HB 147 Provides Protections to Students with Seizure Disorders
Frankfort, Kentucky (July 25, 2018) - Governor Matt Bevin has signed into law HB 147, also known as the Lyndsey Crunk Act, sponsored by Representative Mark Hart (R) of Falmouth, Kentucky, which provides support and protections to Kentucky's students with epilepsy/seizure disorders. This legislation is the first of its kind in the United States and ensures students with epilepsy/seizure disorders will receive provisions to help them overcome the heartbreaking challenges and devastating consequences caused by potentially life-threatening seizures while in the classroom, during school activities, and on the school bus.
Lyndsey Crunk, age 16, from Georgetown, Kentucky knows all too well the horrendous impact that seizures can have on a student's life. She also knows how frustrating it can be when school personnel are not "Seizure Smart," which is why she chose to champion this legislation. In 2016, she was nominated to be Kentucky's Teens Speak Up representative and traveled to Washington, DC to attend the national Epilepsy Foundation's Teen's Speak Up program. In 2017, she was selected as Kentucky's Ambassador for the Teens Speak Up program. During these programs, she met with Senators Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul and Congressman Andy Barr, urging them to increase funding for epilepsy programs and services through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These programs serve to improve the lives of the over 3.4 million Americans living with epilepsy, including approximately 153,000 Kentuckians. From this empowering experience, grew an overwhelming desire to advocate for other students with epilepsy and seizure disorders to help them achieve their academic potential and Lyndsey worked diligently to see this legislation to fruition.
HB 147 will require:
- School personnel to complete a one-hour seizure recognition and first aid response training.
- A "Seizure Action Plan," signed by the treating physician, to be part of the student's file and made available to school personnel and volunteers responsible for the student.
- Any FDA approved medication to be administered to the student with epilepsy/seizure disorder as prescribed by the treating physician.
This legislation has the potential to truly improve the lives of thousands of Kentucky's students battling seizures - by ensuring that life-saving FDA approved medications are administered as prescribed, that school personnel are trained in seizure recognition and first aid, and that each student has a written, tailored seizure response plan for school personnel to follow should a seizure occur while at school, at a school activity, or on the bus.
As the leader in the fight against epilepsy, the Epilepsy Foundation of Kentuckiana is dedicated to serving children, adults, and veterans living with and impacted by epilepsy/seizures. The Foundation was honored to work with Representative Mark Hart and Lyndsey Crunk on HB 147, and is extremely pleased that Governor Matt Bevin has signed it into law.
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About the Epilepsy Foundation of Kentuckiana
The Epilepsy Foundation of Kentuckiana is an independent affiliate of the national Epilepsy Foundation. Founded in 1996, it operates as the only charitable 501 (c)(3) organization in Kentucky to serve the special needs of children, adults, and veterans affected by epilepsy/seizures. Services provided by the Foundation are comprehensive and diverse, designed to educate, advocate, and support the estimated 153,000 people with epilepsy and their loved ones throughout Kentucky and southern Indiana.
Epilepsy Foundation of Kentuckiana
Kosair Charities Centre
982 Eastern Parkway
502-637-4440
866-275-1078
www.efky.org
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