BILL NUMBER: ACR 167	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  AUGUST 2, 2010

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Ma
   (Coauthors: Assembly Members Brownley, Hall, Jeffries, and Bonnie
Lowenthal)
   (Coauthor: Senator Huff)

                        MAY 24, 2010

   Relative to Students with Epilepsy Month.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 167, as amended, Ma. Students with Epilepsy Month.
   This measure would recognize September 2010 and each September
thereafter as Students with Epilepsy Month. This measure would also
encourage the Epilepsy Foundations  of   in
 California to continue to join with the educational and health
communities to conduct epilepsy education  ,  
and  awareness  , and treatment  .
   Fiscal committee: no.



   WHEREAS, Epilepsy is a  chronic health  
neurological  condition that affects over 3 million Americans.
More Americans are affected by epilepsy than by cerebral palsy,
multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, and Parkinson's disease
combined; and 
   WHEREAS, An estimated $15.5 billion in annual medical costs in the
United States result from epilepsy; and 
   WHEREAS, Epilepsy affects approximately 400,000 Californians,
90,000 of whom are children under 18 years of age; and
   WHEREAS, While epilepsy can begin at any age, it most commonly
occurs in children and the elderly; and
   WHEREAS, Epilepsy affects individuals with varying severity,
ranging from a very limited effect on the individual to devastating
impacts on all aspects of  life. Epilepsy is truly disabling
for those living with uncontrolled seizures, due to frequent
seizures, impairments to cognition, memory, and functional skills,
and a highly compromised quality of life; and   life;
and 
   WHEREAS, Early diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy is critical to
 both  maximizing long-term  prognosis and
saving lives by recognizing and appropriately responding to seizure
emergencies;   prognosis;  and
   WHEREAS, A seizure  can take many forms and  is
caused by a brief change in the normal functioning of the brain's
electrical  system. While seizures   system; and

    WHEREAS, Seizures  are most often associated with
convulsions, in fact, a seizure can also be as subtle as strange
sensations or perceptions, altered awareness, brief staring episodes,
abnormal motions or postures, stiffness, or confused speech; and

   WHEREAS, Epilepsy is the second leading cause of death and
disability in children under 14 years of age, and up to 50,000 deaths
occur annually in the United States from prolonged seizures, known
as status epilepticus, and other seizure-related causes; and

   WHEREAS, In children with epilepsy uncontrolled seizures damage
the child's developing brain and can impact academic performance,
memory, learning, and result in social-emotional challenges; and

   WHEREAS, Students with epilepsy have the ability to achieve their
educational goals with access to effective and appropriate school and
medical support services. Further, access to interagency support
systems strengthens the quality of life for children with epilepsy;
and  
   WHEREAS, Recognizing Students with Epilepsy Month will bring
attention to this severe and often underreported and underrecognized
condition. Students with Epilepsy Month will help address and dispel
misperceptions associated with epilepsy and 
    WHEREAS, Recognizing Students with Epilepsy Month will 
positively demonstrate the ability of children to succeed in spite of
their seizures; and
   WHEREAS, Students with Epilepsy Month will provide an opportunity
for the school community to become better  educated and
empowered to best meet the needs of students with epilepsy; 
 aware of, and educated about, epilepsy;  now, therefore,
be it
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature recognizes September 2010
and each September thereafter as Students with Epilepsy Month; and be
it further
   Resolved, That the Epilepsy Foundations  of  
in  California are encouraged to continue to join with the
educational and health communities to conduct epilepsy education
 ,   and  awareness  , and
treatment  ; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.