Section 3313.7117 | Individualized seizure action plans.
(A) As used in this section:
(1) "Licensed health care professional" means any of the following:
(a) A physician authorized under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery;
(b) A registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse, or licensed practical nurse licensed under Chapter 4723. of the Revised Code;
(c) A physician assistant licensed under Chapter 4730. of the Revised Code.
(2) "Seizure disorder" means epilepsy or involuntary disturbance of brain function that may manifest as an impairment, loss of consciousness, behavioral abnormalities, sensory disturbance or convulsions.
(3) "Treating practitioner" means any of the following who has primary responsibility for treating a student's seizure disorder and has been identified as such by the student's parent, guardian, or other person having care or charge of the student or, if the student is at least eighteen years of age, by the student:
(a) A physician authorized under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery;
(b) An advanced practice registered nurse who holds a current, valid license to practice nursing as an advanced practice registered nurse issued under Chapter 4723. of the Revised Code and is designated as a clinical nurse specialist or certified nurse practitioner in accordance with section 4723.42 of the Revised Code;
(c) A physician assistant who holds a license issued under Chapter 4730. of the Revised Code, holds a valid prescriber number issued by the state medical board, and has been granted physician-delegated prescriptive authority.
(B) A school nurse, or another district or school employee if a district or school does not have a school nurse, of each city, local, exempted village, and joint vocational school district and the governing authority of a chartered nonpublic school, acting in collaboration with a student's parents or guardian, shall create an individualized seizure action plan for each student enrolled in the school district or chartered nonpublic school who has an active seizure disorder diagnosis. A plan shall include all of the following components:
(1) A written request signed by the parent, guardian, or other person having care or charge of the student, required by division (C)(1) of section 3313.713 of the Revised Code, to have one or more drugs prescribed for a seizure disorder administered to the student;
(2) A written statement from the student's treating practitioner providing the drug information required by division (C)(2) of section 3313.713 of the Revised Code for each drug prescribed to the student for a seizure disorder.
(3) Any other component required by the state board of education.
(C)(1) The school nurse or a school administrator if the district does not employ a school nurse, shall notify a school employee, contractor, and volunteer in writing regarding the existence and content of each seizure action plan in force if the employee, contractor, or volunteer does any of the following:
(a) Regularly interacts with the student;
(b) Has legitimate educational interest in the student or is responsible for the direct supervision of the student;
(c) Is responsible for transportation of the student to and from school.
(2) The school nurse or a school administrator if the district does not employ a school nurse, shall identify each individual who has received training under division (G) of this section in the administration of drugs prescribed for seizure disorders. The school nurse, or another district employee if a district does not employ a school nurse, shall coordinate seizure disorder care at that school and ensure that all staff described in division (C)(1) of this section are trained in the care of students with seizure disorders.
(D) A drug prescribed to a student with a seizure disorder shall be provided to the school nurse or another person at the school who is authorized to administer it to the student if the district does not employ a full-time school nurse. The drug shall be provided in the container in which it was dispensed by the prescriber or a licensed pharmacist.
(E) A seizure action plan is effective only for the school year in which the written request described in division (B)(1) of this section was submitted and must be renewed at the beginning of each school year.
(F) A seizure action plan created under division (B) of this section shall be maintained in the office of the school nurse or school administrator if the district does not employ a full-time school nurse.
(G) A school district or governing authority of a chartered nonpublic school shall designate at least one employee at each school building it operates, aside from a school nurse, to be trained on the implementation of seizure action plans every two years. The district or governing authority shall provide or arrange for the training of the employee. The training must include and be consistent with guidelines and best practices established by a nonprofit organization that supports the welfare of individuals with epilepsy and seizure disorders, such as the Epilepsy Alliance Ohio or Epilepsy Foundation of Ohio or other similar organizations as determined by the department of education, and address all of the following:
(1) Recognizing the signs and symptoms of a seizure;
(2) The appropriate treatment for a student who exhibits the symptoms of a seizure;
(3) Administering drugs prescribed for seizure disorders, subject to section 3313.713 of the Revised Code.
A seizure training program under division (G) of this section shall not exceed one hour and shall qualify as a professional development activity for the renewal of educator licenses, including activities approved by local professional development committees under division (F) of section 3319.22 of the Revised Code. If the training is provided to a school district on portable media by a nonprofit entity, the training shall be provided free of charge.
(H) A board of education or governing authority shall require each person it employs as an administrator, guidance counselor, teacher, or bus driver to complete a minimum of one hour of self-study training or in-person training on seizure disorders not later than twenty-four months after the effective date of this section. Any such person employed after that date shall complete the training within ninety days of employment. The training shall qualify as a professional development activity for the renewal of educator licenses, including activities approved by local professional development committees under division (F) of section 3319.22 of the Revised Code.
(I)(1) A school or school district, a member of a board or governing authority, or a district or school employee is not liable in damages in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property allegedly arising from providing care or performing duties under this section unless the act or omission constitutes willful or wanton misconduct.
This section does not eliminate, limit, or reduce any other immunity or defense that a school district, member of a school district board of education, or school district employee may be entitled to under Chapter 2744. or any other provision of the Revised Code or under the common law of this state.
(2) A chartered nonpublic school or any officer, director, or employee of the school is not liable in damages in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property allegedly arising from providing care or performing duties under this section unless the act or omission constitutes willful or wanton misconduct.
Last updated August 31, 2023 at 3:26 PM
Available Versions of this Section
- October 3, 2023 – Enacted by House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly [ View October 3, 2023 Version ]
- April 30, 2024 – Amended by House Bill 101 - 135th General Assembly [ View April 30, 2024 Version ]