BILL NUMBER:  S2422

 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 :

2016 - S. 7961a/A. 10590a - Passed Senate/Assembly Health Committee.
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.