A Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) relates to death in individuals with epilepsy that are not connected to an injury, drowning, or other known causes. Most cases of a SUDEP happen either during a seizure or right after a seizure. A SUDEP is considered rare, for every 1,000 individuals with epilepsy at least one person may die from a SUDEP each year.  
 
It is for these reasons to introduce legislation aimed at enhancing the accuracy of a SUDEP determination by coroners. This legislation (otherwise known as Morgan Rose’s Law) will require that all autopsies include an inquiry to determine whether the death was a direct result of a seizure or epilepsy and report on the death certificate that a SUDEP is the cause of death. This will mirror similar legislation already passed in Virginia, North Carolina, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Illinois. This legislation conforms with the new consolidated county code.
 
Please join us in co-sponsoring this crucial legislation that will improve the accuracy of a SUDEP confirmation by coroners. 
This is the former HB2549 from the 2023-2024 Legislative Session.
 

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 1689 (May 13, 2025): 16-13918(a)
Printer's No. 1877 (Jun 10, 2025): 16-13918(a)