In January, Governor Phil Murphy signed “Paul’s Law.” The measure authorizes parents or guardians to request the use of an Individualized Health Plan (IHP) for students with epilepsy or seizure disorders. The legislation also requires boards of education to ensure that all building staff are trained in the care of students with epilepsy and seizure disorders.
The law is named after Paul St. Pierre, a 13-year-old boy from Maple Shade who has epilepsy and advocated for the legislation. Approximately 12,000 children in New Jersey are diagnosed with epilepsy, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
An IHP is a nursing-oriented written care plan that can be developed for ANY student with health concerns. It outlines the needs of the student and a set of procedural guidelines that provide specific directions about what to do in an emergency.
To learn more about the IHP, CLICK HERE.
To see a sample plan for a student with a seizure disorder, CLICK HERE.
