Relates to the reporting of sudden, unexpected death in epilepsy

Title of bill

An act to amend the public health law, in relation to the reporting of sudden, unexpected death in epilepsy

Purpose

To require, when an autopsy is conducted a deceased person who has epilepsy or a history of seizures, a determination on the death certificate of whether the deceased suffered a sudden, unexpected death in epilepsy.

Summary of provisions

Section 1. Section 4210 of the public health law is amended by adding a new subdivision 5 which reads: When an autopsy of the body is conducted of a deceased human who has epilepsy or a history of seizures it may include an investigation and determinations as to whether the deceased suffered a sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. In the event the deceased did suffer a sudden, unexpected death in epilepsy, such information shall be noted on the death certificate and be reported to the North American SUDEP Registry.

Section 2 contains the effective date.

Justification

Sudden, unexpected death in epilepsy is a mysterious and rare condition in which young or middle-aged individuals with epilepsy die without a clear cause. This is estimated to account for up to 17% of deaths in people with epilepsy. The Institute of Medicine has found sudden, unexpected death in epilepsy is underreported and there has not been a systematic effort to collect information about persons who have died from this disorder. This bill seeks to increase the reporting of deaths caused by this disorder and will raise awareness and understanding of epilepsy related mortality.

Legislative history

2015: S.1789/S.2359 - Veto #291 2014: A.8444 Health Committee/S.6232 Senate Floor Calendar

Fiscal implications

None to the state.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law.