Lopez pushes bill to strengthen seizure-response training for New Jersey school staff
TRENTON, N.J. — Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez is spotlighting legislation that would establish stricter and more consistent training requirements for school staff responsible for responding to students with epilepsy and seizure disorders, coinciding with National Epilepsy Awareness Month.
The bill, A2255, would amend Paul’s Law—enacted in 2020—to require New Jersey school staff to undergo seizure-care training every five years. Current statute mandates training but sets no clear schedule for how often it must be completed.
“There’s no room for guesswork when a student has a seizure at school – every second counts,” said Lopez (D-Middlesex). “This bill would ensure that all school staff are regularly trained to recognize and respond to seizures because in those critical moments, knowing what to do can save a life.”
Paul’s Law requires school districts to coordinate care for students with epilepsy and seizure disorders, including the development of individualized seizure action plans and annual updates from school nurses. However, the absence of a required training interval has prompted calls for clarity and consistency.
Lopez’s bill would close that gap by establishing a recurring, five-year training cycle for all school employees responsible for student care. The legislation would also extend the requirement to staff working in school-sponsored and after-school programs, ensuring that personnel across the full range of student activities are prepared to respond.
Assemblyman William B. Sampson IV and Assemblywoman Linda Carter are co-sponsoring the measure, which aims to ensure school communities remain equipped with up-to-date knowledge and protocols to protect students living with seizure disorders.
