Virginia HB 392: Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP); investigation of deaths.

Bill Text

2022SESSION
INTRODUCED
22104029D
1 HOUSEBILLNO.392
2 OfferedJanuary12,2022
3 PrefiledJanuary11,2022
4 A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 32.1-283.9, relating to Sudden
5 Unexpected Death in Epilepsy.
6 ––––––––––
Patrons––Murphy, Keam, Clark, Convirs-Fowler, Hayes, Hope, Kory, Maldonado, McQuinn, Price,
Rasoul, Reid, Roem, Simon and Simonds
7 ––––––––––
8 ReferredtoCommitteeonHealth,WelfareandInstitutions
9 ––––––––––
10 Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
11 1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 32.1-283.9 as follows:
12 § 32.1-283.9. Investigation of deaths involving Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy; protocol;
13 information; training.
14 A. For purposes of this section, "Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy" (SUDEP) means the sudden
15 and unexplained death of a healthy individual with epilepsy that is not by drowning, injury, or other
16 known causes.
17 B. In any case involving a finding of death resulting from SUDEP, the Office of the Chief Medical
18 Examiner shall (i) within 30 days of such finding notify the North American SUDEP Registry that the
19 death has occurred; (ii) provide to the next of kin of the deceased, if known, information regarding the
20 benefits of and process for submitting the deceased's medical information, including information about
21 the deceased's history of epilepsy and seizures, to the North American SUDEP Registry; and (iii) shall
22 indicate SUDEP as the cause of death on the decedent's death certificate.
23 C. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner shall publish information on SUDEP and a SUDEP
24 death investigation form on its website.
25 D. The Epilepsy Foundation of Virginia shall develop and implement a training program for medical
26 examiners on SUDEP and the proper identification of deaths resulting from SUDEP. The Chief Medical
27 Examiner and all local medical examiners shall complete one hour of training in the investigation of
28 SUDEP per triennium. Newly appointed medical examiners shall complete this training within 90 days
29 of appointment.
30 2. That the provisions of this act shall become effective on January 1, 2023.
INTRODUCED
HB392
7/29/22
6:56