Ohio measure would guide epilepsy care and add optional ID symbols

Health care providers would counsel patients about sudden unexpected death in epilepsy and refer them to state guidance. The duty covers providers primarily responsible for treating or caring for a patient diagnosed with epilepsy. The duty applies to care other than emergency treatment.

A coroner, deputy coroner, or pathologist would check for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy during certain autopsies. This applies when officials are told that a person who is the subject of an autopsy had epilepsy or a history of seizures. If officials determine the death was sudden unexpected death in epilepsy, they must put that information on the death certificate and report it to a relevant state or national registry. The check takes place during the autopsy; recording and reporting are required if officials determine that sudden unexpected death in epilepsy occurred.

People with epilepsy could ask to join the disability database and request an epilepsy symbol on a driver’s license or state ID. The license or ID symbol is for people who now have or have had epilepsy. The database form also covers people diagnosed with other disabilities listed in the provisions. The database form is voluntary and requires a health professional’s certification. An adult with a disability, a parent of a minor child with a disability, or a guardian may complete it. The symbol is optional, and the registrar chooses its design.

The state health director would provide epilepsy risk guidance and education, post information about sudden unexpected death in epilepsy, and make it available to people eligible to sign death certificates. The guidance is for health care practitioners primarily responsible for treating people with epilepsy; the posted information must be accessible to all people eligible to sign death certificates. The guidance must address seizure type, frequency and recency, and whether treatment may reduce symptoms. The director may provide training for people eligible to sign death certificates.