Fiscal Note
Fiscal Services Division
HF 795 – Seizure Safe Schools (LSB1726HV)
Staff Contact: Lora Vargason (515.725.2249) lora.vargason@legis.iowa.gov
Fiscal Note Version – New
Requester – Representative Molly Donahue
Description
House File 795 requires specified training for school personnel and for each school district and
nonpublic school to have at least one school employee who is trained to respond to a student
experiencing seizure symptoms and administer or assist with the self-administration of
medication or prescribed medical procedure. The Bill outlines requirements for the student’s
parent or guardian responsibility to authorize the administration of medication, and for the
creation of an individual health plan and distribution of a seizure action plan for those students
diagnosed with a seizure disorder. The Bill provides immunity from criminal or civil liability for
those providing services as detailed. The Department of Education (DE) is required to develop
and implement a statewide seizure education program, and in collaboration with the Department
of Public Health establish a school district health-related training requirements task force.
Background
An individual healthcare plan (IHP) is a document created to support a student with a medical
condition that may require care while at school. The licensed registered school nurse, or other
licensed qualified health care practitioner, creates the IHP with the student, family, health care
provider, and school team to coordinate health services at school. For a student diagnosed with
epilepsy or a seizure disorder, the IHP can incorporate a seizure response plan to detail needed
steps for seizure management including safety protocols, proper response to seizures,
administration or assistance for self-administration of medication or prescribed electrical
stimulation, and recognition of an emergency situation.
Often times the school nurse will be notified to assist with a student experiencing a seizure.
Currently in school districts there are 650 full-time school nurses and 110 part-time school
nurses. Teachers and other support staff may be trained as well when working with a student
identified to have epilepsy or a seizure disorder. The Epilepsy Foundation does provide free
online training for school personnel and students.
Assumptions
• According to the DE Medication Administration Manual, qualified personnel may provide
medication administration. Qualified personnel include a registered nurse or school
personnel qualified to administer medication. For school personnel to be qualified, they
must complete the medication administration course provided by the DE every five years
and receive an annual certification signed by the school nurse after skills demonstrations
have been completed. This Bill does not require a registered nurse in each school building.
• School personnel will meet the training requirements during already established professional
development time using free training as provided or similar to what is provided by the
Epilepsy Foundation.
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Fiscal Impact
There may be costs for school districts and nonpublic schools for training conducted outside of
already established professional development time or for hourly staff employees.
Costs associated with the School District Health-Related Task Force are expected to be minimal
as most Task Force members are expected to be employees of the DE and the Department of
Public Health and pursuant to Iowa Code section 70A.1, are not eligible for per diem expenses.
Sources
Department of Education
Epilepsy Foundation
/s/ Holly M. Lyons
March 10, 2021
Doc ID 1216789
The fiscal note for this Bill was prepared pursuant to Joint Rule 17 and the Iowa Code. Data used in
developing this fiscal note is available from the Fiscal Services Division of the Legislative Services
Agency upon request.
www.legis.iowa.gov
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