WHAT IS SAM'S LAW?

Sam's Law (HB 684), introduced by Rep. Travis Clardy, requires all Texas public school personnel whose duties include regular contact with students to be trained in seizure recognition and seizure first aid. People who interact with children with epilepsy daily need to be trained to care for them if they have a seizure. Sam's Law ensures that Texas public schools are well-equipped with the tools necessary to provide a safe and enriching environment.

Training is provided free of charge to Texas public schools by the Epilepsy Foundation's two Texas affiliates.

What is a Seizure Action Plan and TEA Seizure Management Treatment Form?  

• Information Letter for Parents - (English) (Española)

TEA Seizure Management Form Update January 1, 2024  (English) contains the essential information school staff may need to know to help a student who has seizures. It includes information on first aid, parent and health care provider contacts, and medications specifically for that child. Seizure Action Plans are an important tool that helps parents and schools partner to keep children safe and healthy during the school day.

Effective on or after January 1, 2024 

Seizure Management and Treatment Form UPDATE SENATE BILL

Senate Bill (SB) 1506, 88th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, amended Texas Education Code (TEC) §38.032 requiring TEA to post on the agency’s website a form to be used to submit a seizure management and treatment plan that includes specific information and the signatures of the student’s parent or guardian and the physician responsible for the student’s seizure treatment.

This change in law only applies to a seizure management and treatment plan submitted to a school district or open-enrollment charter school on or after January 1, 2024.

Please note that the required form originally posted has been revised in collaboration with the Epilepsy Foundation based on feedback received from numerous stakeholders from around the state. We greatly appreciate everyone’s input and feedback in streamlining the required form.

The final version of the required form to be used for submitting this information can be found under the Announcements section of the Healthy and Safe School Environment of the Coordinated School Health Model webpage.

For questions related to the form, please contact [email protected].

All students with Epilepsy/Seizures MUST have an Epilepsy/Seizure Action Plan filled out by their physician and signed by their parent.  The completed Epilepsy/Seizure Care plan must be turned in to the school nurse’s office to inform the appropriate Staff at WISD for proper care of the Student.

• Refusal for Treatment at School - (English) (Española)
• *Doctor & Parent Must Sign

Managing epilepsy while at school may involve: 

 Following the seizure action plan and administering first aid (including the use of rescue medications).

• Understanding the importance of medication adherence and supporting students who take daily medications.
• Helping students avoid seizure triggers, such as flashing lights, or other triggers identified in the seizure action plan.
• Monitoring and addressing any related medical conditions, including mental health concerns such as depression.
• Providing case management services for students whose medical condition disrupts their school attendance or academic performance.
• Refer students with uncontrolled seizures to medical services within the community or to the Epilepsy Foundation for more information.
• Understanding the laws related to disability, medical conditions, and special education to ensure that children with epilepsy can access the free and appropriate education afforded to them under the law.
• Monitoring student behavior to prevent bullying of students with epilepsy.

Epilepsy in Schools - Facts