S 186

Florida Senate - 2026  CS for SB 186
By the Committee on Health Policy; and Senator Garcia
588-02793A-26  2026186c1
1A bill to be entitled
2An act relating to student health and safety; amending
3s. 385.207, F.S.; revising Department of Health
4responsibilities for educational programs concerning
5epilepsy; amending s. 1006.0626, F.S.; revising the
6definition of the term “school”; revising requirements
7for a student’s individualized seizure action plan;
8revising the list of which employees must complete
9training in the care of students with epilepsy and
10seizure disorders; providing that the training is
11valid for 5 years; requiring schools to display a
12specified poster; requiring the Department of
13Education to identify for a specified purpose posters
14that meet certain requirements; providing an effective
15date.
16
17Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
18
19Section 1. Paragraph (e) of subsection (2) of section
20385.207, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
21385.207 Care and assistance of persons with epilepsy;
22establishment of programs in epilepsy control.—
23(2) The Department of Health shall:
24(e) Institute and maintain an educational program among
25physicians, hospitals, county health departments, and the public
26concerning epilepsy, including the dissemination of information
27and the conducting of educational programs concerning the
28prevention of epilepsy and methods developed and used for the
29care and treatment of persons with epilepsy. The educational
30program must include the education and training requirements of
31s. 1006.0626(3) and (5).
32Section 2. Paragraph (c) of subsection (1), paragraph (b)
33of subsection (2), and paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of
34section 1006.0626, Florida Statutes, are amended, and subsection
35(5) is added to that section, to read:
361006.0626 Care of students with epilepsy or seizure
37disorders.—
38(1) As used in this section, the term:
39(c) “School” has the same meaning as in s. 1003.01(17) and
40includes charter schools under s. 1002.33.
41(2)
42(b) An ISAP must be developed and signed by a medical
43professional, in consultation with the student’s parent, and
44include the following:
451. Written orders from the student’s medical professional,
46in a form determined by the medical professional, outlining the
47student’s epilepsy or seizure disorder recommended care.
482. The parent’s signature.
493. The student’s epilepsy or seizure disorder symptoms.
504. Any accommodations the student requires for school
51trips, after-school programs and activities, class parties, and
52any other school-related activities.
535. When and whom to call for medical assistance.
546. The student’s ability to manage, and the student’s level
55of understanding of, his or her epilepsy or seizure disorder.
567. How to maintain communication with the student; the
57student’s parent; and the student’s health care team, school
58nurse, and educational staff.
598. Any rescue medication prescribed by the student’s
60medical professional and how and when to administer the
61medication.
62(3) The school nurse or an appropriate school employee of a
63school that receives an ISAP pursuant to subsection (2) shall:
64(b) Verify that each school district or charter school
65employee whose duties include regular contact with the student,
66including any employee who teaches or transports the student to
67and from school or school activities, has completed training in
68the care of students with epilepsy and seizure disorders. The
69training must include how to recognize the symptoms of and
70provide care for epilepsy and seizure disorders. To assist
71schools in meeting this requirement, the Department of Education
72shall identify on its website one or more online training
73courses that are provided by a nonprofit national organization
74that supports the welfare of individuals with epilepsy and
75seizure disorders and are available free of charge to schools.
76The completion of training is valid for 5 years.
77(5) Each school as defined in paragraph (1)(c) shall
78display a poster developed by the department which describes the
79basic steps of responding to an individual having a seizure. The
80department shall identify one or more posters that are provided
81by a national nonprofit organization that supports the welfare
82of individuals with epilepsy and seizure disorders and are
83available free of charge to schools.
84Section 3. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.