KILGORE, Texas — HB 684 better known around East Texas as "Sam's Law" was introduced by Rep. Travis Clardy on January 8th, the first day of the 86th Legislature.
RELATED: 'Sam's Law' officially filed
The law is named in honor of Samantha Watkins, a Kilgore High School student who tragically lost her life to an epileptic seizure in 2016.
The proposed bill comes in three parts.
"Step one, any school personnel that has any contact with the child will watch during their in-service training a less than 30 minute video that goes over seizure recognition and seizure first aid. Step two, school nurses will watch one time in their career, a 2 hour and 15 minute video over seizure recognition and seizure first aid. Step three, is a seizure action plan. This is a form filled out by the child's neurologist it is given to the school," says Shari Dudo, Sam's Law Advocate.
The training proposed by Sam's Law would be provided free to all Texas schools courtesy of the Epilepsy Foundation.
Dudo will travel to Austin to testify in front of the Education House Committee on Wednesday.
“They wanted me to share my story," says Dudo. "I just want them to know how important it is for the safety of these children. Because what you do or don't do during a seizure could potentially be life saving. I also want them to realize that the struggles that these children have with epilepsy and we have come up with a very efficient short way to educate our school personnel."
If passed "Sam's Law" could potentially protect more than 49,000 Texas students diagnosed with active epilepsy.
Show your support for "Sam's Law" by contacting your local representative via phone or email and ask them to support HB684.
