An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, providi...
This means families can expect more immediate medical care for students with seizure disorders while at school.
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SB 402 — An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, providing for administration of emergency anti-seizure medication.
Last action — Laid on the table (Pursuant to Senate Rule 9)
No card. One bill, free forever — alerts when it moves.
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✓Introduced
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2In Committee
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3Passed Senate
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4Passed House
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5To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced March 06, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the Senate.
Prognosis
Where this bill stands today.
Odds of enactment
LowHow often bills like it became law.
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In Committee
Current position in the legislative process.
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8 sponsors
1 primary, 7 co-sponsors signed on.
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Bipartisan support
Sponsored across 2 parties (5 R · 3 D) — cross-party backing.
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Cleared a recorded vote
Passed 2 recorded votes so far.
Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.
In plain language
This bill provides for the administration of emergency anti-seizure medication in public schools.
The bill amends the Public School Code to permit the administration of emergency anti-seizure medication to students. This aims to ensure that students experiencing seizures receive timely medical assistance.
What this means for you
- Families: This means families can expect more immediate medical care for students with seizure disorders while at school.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
14 added · 14 removedPlain-language change summary
The revised version of Bill SB 402 has updated the date for its implementation from March 30, 2025, to March 30, 2026. This change allows additional time for necessary preparations or adjustments before the bill takes effect. It is important because it gives stakeholders—such as educators, schools, and students—more time to adapt to any new regulations outlined in the legislation.
PRIOR PRINTER'S NO.
349 THEPRINTER'S GENERALNO. ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA SENATE BILL Session of No.
1529 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA SENATE BILL Session of No.
WARD, DUSH, MASTRIANO, FARRY, KANE, COSTA AND SCHWANK, MARCH 6, 2025 REFERREDSENATOR TOCULVER, EDUCATION, AS AMENDED, MARCH 6,23, 20252026 AN ACT Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An act relating to the public school system, including certain provisions applicable as well to private and parochial schools;
327), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 shall have a right to an appropriate educational opportunity to meet these individuals' unique needs, and that children suffering from seizures due to epilepsy have the right to appropriate programs and services that are designed to meet the 20250SB0402PN034920250SB0402PN1529 - 2 - children's unique needs.
(b) Nonmedical employees administration.-- (1) In the absence of a school nurse or other licensed 20250SB0402PN034920250SB0402PN1529 - 3 - nurse onsite at the school or charter school, a school district or charter school may elect to participate in a program to allow nonmedical employees to volunteer to provide emergency medical assistance upon request by a parent or guardian.
(2) Under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, upon receipt of the parent's or guardian's request as specified under this subsection, the school or charter school shall notify the parent or guardian that the child may qualify for services or accommodations under a 504 plan or an individualized education program, assist the parent or guardian with the exploration of that option and encourage 20250SB0402PN034920250SB0402PN1529 - 4 - the parent or guardian to adopt that option if it is determined that the child is eligible for a 504 plan or an individualized education program.
(2) An agreement by an employee to provide emergency medical assistance is voluntary and an employee of the school 20250SB0402PN034920250SB0402PN1529 - 5 - or charter school, an employee of the school district or the charter school administrator, may not directly or indirectly use or attempt to use the employee's authority or influence for the purpose of intimidating, threatening, coercing or attempting to intimidate, threaten or coerce an employee who does not choose to volunteer, including direct contact with the employee.
(iii) A description of the voluntary nature of the volunteer program, which includes the information 20250SB0402PN034920250SB0402PN1529 - 6 - described in paragraph (2).
20250SB0402PN034920250SB0402PN1529 - 7 - (1) Identification of existing licensed staff within the district or region who may be trained in the administration of emergency medical assistance.
20250SB0402PN034920250SB0402PN1529 - 8 - (vii) The circumstances under which the medication may be administered.
(k) Guidelines.-- (1) The department, in consultation with the United States Department of Health and Human Services, shall develop guidelines for the training and supervision of school and charter school employees in providing emergency medical assistance and shall post this information on the department's publicly accessible Internet website by December 31, 2025.2025 2026.
20250SB0402PN0349<-- 20250SB0402PN1529 - 9 - (2) The guidelines may be developed in consultation with interested organizations.
(4) Training under this article shall be conducted by 20250SB0402PN034920250SB0402PN1529 - 10 - one or more of the following:
(2) If a credentialed school nurse is not assigned to the school district or charter school, the school or charter school administrator or, if the administrator is not available, another school staff member shall notify the superintendent of the school district or the superintendent's 20250SB0402PN034920250SB0402PN1529 - 11 - designee and the charter school administrator or the charter school administrator's designee, as appropriate, if an employee at the school site provides emergency medical assistance.
20250SB0402PN034920250SB0402PN1529 - 12 -
AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.
The bill adds provisions for the administration of emergency anti-seizure medication in schools, allowing trained nonmedical employees to assist students in the absence of a school nurse.
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Section 1.
ARTICLE XIV-C ADMINISTRATION OF EMERGENCY ANTI-SEIZURE MEDICATION
Creates a new article specifically addressing emergency anti-seizure medication administration.
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Section 1404-C.
Emergency anti-seizure medication may be administered by a school nurse who has been trained in anti-seizure medication administration.
Permits school nurses to administer emergency anti-seizure medication if trained.
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Section 1404-C.
In the absence of a school nurse or other licensed nurse onsite at the school or charter school, a school district or charter school may elect to participate in a program to allow nonmedical employees to volunteer to provide emergency medical assistance upon request by a parent or guardian.
Enables nonmedical school employees to provide emergency medical assistance for seizures if a school nurse is unavailable.
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Section 1404-C.
A school employee with voluntary emergency medical training shall provide emergency medical assistance in accordance with guidelines approved and provided on the department's publicly accessible Internet website and the performance instructions as specified by the licensed health care provider of the student.
Requires that nonmedical employees providing assistance follow specific training and guidelines.
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Section 1404-C.
If a student with epilepsy has been prescribed an emergency anti-seizure medication by the student's licensed health care provider, the student's parent or guardian may request the student's school to have one or more of the school's employees receive emergency medical assistance training...
Facilitates parent or guardian requests for training of school staff on administering emergency medication for their child.
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Section 1404-C.
The school or charter school may create an individualized health plan, seizure action plan or other appropriate health plan designed to acknowledge and prepare for the child's health care needs in school.
Allows schools to develop tailored health care plans for students with seizure conditions.
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Section 1404-C.
The school district or charter school shall ensure that a volunteer employee receives training from a licensed health care professional regarding emergency medical assistance.
Mandates that volunteers receive proper training to administer emergency anti-seizure medication.
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Section 1404-C.
An employee who volunteers under this section may rescind the employee's offer to provide emergency medical assistance up to three days after the completion of the training.
Provides volunteers with the option to withdraw their commitment shortly after training.
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Section 1404-C.
If a school district or charter school elects to participate as specified under subsection (b), the school district or charter school shall be immune from liability for the good faith conduct of an employee acting under this section...
Offers legal protection to schools and trained employees for actions taken in emergency situations.
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Section 1404-C.
If there are no volunteers, the school district or charter school shall notify the student's parent or guardian of the option to be assessed for services and accommodations guaranteed under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
Ensures parents are informed about special education services if no trained volunteers are available.
Action History
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Laid on the table (Pursuant to Senate Rule 9)
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First consideration
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Reported as amended
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Referred to Education
Sponsors
- David G. Argall · Primary
- Judy Ward · Cosponsor
- Cris Dush · Cosponsor
- Doug Mastriano · Cosponsor
- Frank A. Farry · Cosponsor
- John I. Kane · Cosponsor
- Jay Costa · Cosponsor
- Judith L. Schwank · Cosponsor
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →1 sponsors · 7 co-sponsors · 245 not signed on · 2 voted No
Sponsors (1)
- David G. Argall Republican
Co-sponsors (7)
- Judy Ward Republican
- Cris Dush Republican
- Doug Mastriano Republican
- Frank A. Farry Republican
- John I. Kane Democratic
- Jay Costa Democratic
- Judith L. Schwank Democratic
Not signed on (245)
245 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 245 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Votes
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Democratic | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 82% | 18% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (11)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Anthony H. Williams | Democratic | Yea |
| Carolyn T. Comitta | Democratic | Nay |
| Lindsey M. Williams | Democratic | Nay |
| Timothy P. Kearney | Democratic | Yea |
| David G. Argall | Republican | Yea |
| Dawn W. Keefer | Republican | Yea |
| Doug Mastriano | Republican | Yea |
| Greg Rothman | Republican | Yea |
| Jarrett Coleman | Republican | Yea |
| Kim L. Ward | Republican | Yea |
| Lynda Schlegel Culver | Republican | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Democratic | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 82% | 18% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (11)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Anthony H. Williams | Democratic | Yea |
| Carolyn T. Comitta | Democratic | Nay |
| Lindsey M. Williams | Democratic | Nay |
| Timothy P. Kearney | Democratic | Yea |
| David G. Argall | Republican | Yea |
| Dawn W. Keefer | Republican | Yea |
| Doug Mastriano | Republican | Yea |
| Greg Rothman | Republican | Yea |
| Jarrett Coleman | Republican | Yea |
| Kim L. Ward | Republican | Yea |
| Lynda Schlegel Culver | Republican | Yea |
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- Who sponsors SB 402?
- SB 402 is sponsored by David G. Argall (Republican), Judy Ward (Republican), Cris Dush (Republican), Doug Mastriano (Republican), Frank A. Farry (Republican), John I. Kane (Democratic), Jay Costa (Democratic), and Judith L. Schwank (Democratic).
- What is the current status of SB 402?
- This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced March 06, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
- Where can I track SB 402?
- Track SB 402 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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