.png){kind=logo}
DENVER, CO– The House today passed two bills on second reading to create safer, more equitable spaces for Colorado students. The first, sponsored by Reps. Kyle Mullica and Iman Jodeh, would ensure that K-12 teachers are properly trained to respond to students with a seizure disorder. The second, also sponsored by Rep. Kyle Mullica, would end legacy college admissions at public institutions of higher education.
“A little training and preparedness around seizure disorders can go a long way towards keeping kids safe,” said Rep. Kyle Mullica, D-Northglenn. “Joey’s law has a simple goal: to ensure that our schools have someone on staff who is trained to provide support for students with seizure disorders. Ending legacy college admissions means more first generation college students like myself can graduate from an institution of higher education and go on to thrive.”
“Joey’s law is personal to me: I have epilepsy and I know how unpredictable, stigmatizing and devastating it can be,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora. “What an opportunity this bill presents. An opportunity for families who suffer from seizures to feel empowered to dismantle this stigma by educating those adults in their orbit about their seizures and how to safely and appropriately respond while honoring their wishes during their most vulnerable moments.”
HB21-1133, known as “Joey’s Law”, would require public schools where a student has a known seizure disorder to designate at least one educator to get trained in seizure response. It would also encourage parents with students who have a seizure disorder to submit a seizure action plan to the school. A seizure action plan provides detailed information on a student’s seizure disorder and guidelines on how to respond if the student is experiencing a seizure. According to the CDC, approximately 7,800 Coloradans under the age of 18 have been diagnosed with epilepsy or a seizure disorder.
HB21-1173, sponsored by Representative Mullica, would end legacy admissions at Colorado public institutions of higher education. Currently, higher education institutions may consider legacy preferences and family relationships to alumni of the institution as a criteria for admission standards.