Mar. 22, 2021
Bill inspired by Chester County 6-year old sent to state Senate
HARRISBURG – In advance of World Epilepsy Awareness day this Friday, the House of Representatives today unanimously approved legislation authored by Rep. Chris Quinn (R-Delaware) that would promote the training of school personnel in seizure recognition and response. Quinn wrote the legislation after being contacted by a constituent whose grandson, 6-year old Dominic Rosini of West Whiteland, is fighting a rare form of epilepsy.
“Dominic’s world changed overnight” said Quinn. “As a parent, I can’t imagine the fear of your previously healthy child suffering as many as 1,000 seizures a day. Epilepsy is more common than many realize, and it’s important teachers and school personnel have access to information about recognizing seizures and responding to them.”
Quinn’s legislation,
House Bill 416 and referred to as the “DOMinate Epilepsy Law” in honor of Dominic, would make the completion of an approved-Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH) online course in seizure recognition and first-aid creditable for professional continuing education credit. The PA DOH-approved online course would be provided by a national nonprofit foundation with an understanding of epilepsy and seizure disorders. The bill is nearly identical to legislation Quinn introduced last legislative session.
Dominic’s grandmother, Beth Scolis of Edgmont, first contacted Quinn in 2019. A public school teacher, she shared with Quinn her concern with the lack of knowledge school professionals have regarding seizures and the need for education on seizure recognition and first aid.
Dominic suffered his first seizure in August 2017, shortly before his third birthday. Other seizures, of various types, soon followed. Dominic underwent extensive testing and endured numerous hospitalizations.
Only a fraction of the seizures Dominic experienced were grand mal seizures. Also known as tonic-clonic seizures, a grand mal seizure is the result of abnormal electrical activity throughout the brain and causes a loss of consciousness and violent muscle contractions. It is the type most commonly associated with a seizure.
“Dominic is a fighter and so incredibly brave,” said his mother, Jessica Rosini, herself a former public school teacher. “There are more children like him battling epilepsy than most people realize. This bill will help keep these children safe by giving school personnel the tools to recognize and respond to a seizure.”
According to the
Epilepsy Foundation, the leading national education, support and advocacy organization for those with epilepsy and their families, one in 26 Americans will develop epilepsy at some point in their lifetime. More than one-third of the 150,000 Americans diagnosed with epilepsy every year will live with uncontrollable seizures because existing medications and treatments do not work for them.
“For many, epilepsy is a dominating feature of their lives,” said Quinn. “The DOMinate Epilepsy Law can help mitigate the impact of the condition for those kids who have it. It is an important first step in protecting students with the disorder and educating school personnel about seizure recognition and first aid.
“I’m grateful for the support of my House colleagues and look forward to working with the Senate on this important legislation.”
Representative Chris Quinn
168th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Rene Morrow
717.260.6273
rmorrow@pahousegop.com
RepChrisQuinn.com /
Facebook.com/RepChrisQuinn
Quinn’s legislation is named in honor of Dominic Rosini of Chester County. Dominic was diagnosed of a rare form of epilepsy shortly before his third birthday in 2017.