Epilepsy-Related Mortality Awareness

     The bill requires the department of public health and environment (department) to do the following in relation to sudden unexpected death in epilepsy and other epilepsy-related mortalities:

• Gather and provide to families and health-care practitioners information on sudden unexpected death in epilepsy and other epilepsy-related mortalities;

       

• Ensure that all death investigation professionals are aware of the latest epilepsy-related death investigation recommendations from a nationally recognized and reputable organization of medical examiners and a nationally recognized and reputable organization of medicolegal death investigators;

       

• Conduct a statewide public health campaign to expand public awareness of and educate the public about epilepsy and its associated mortality risks; and

       

• Report all epilepsy-related deaths to a sudden unexpected death in epilepsy registry.

      The bill also requires that investigations regarding the cause and manner of a death suspected to be or determined to be caused by epilepsy or a seizure must include a determination of whether the death was a direct result of a seizure or epilepsy. If there is a determination that the cause and manner of an individual's death was consistent with the definition of known or suspected sudden unexpected death in epilepsy, a death investigation professional shall ensure that the individual's death certificate identifies epilepsy as the contributing cause or suspected cause of death. that, beginning July 1, 2027, a death certification professional ensure that they are aware of the most recent epilepsy-related death certification recommendations from a nationally recognized and reputable organization. On or before June 1, 2027, the department of public health and environment (department) must electronically notify all registered users of the Colorado vital events system of this requirement.

     If a death certification professional determines that the cause of an individual's death is consistent with known or suspected sudden unexpected death in epilepsy, the bill requires the professional to ensure that the individual's death certificate identifies epilepsy as a contributing cause or a suspected cause of death.

     The bill allows the department to provide online guidelines for clinicians and medical certifiers for death certificates regarding epilepsy-related deaths, including sudden unexpected death in epilepsy.

(Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.)
(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)