Gov. Janet Mills has signed a bill making Maine schools safer for students with epilepsy
FALMOUTH, Maine — This fall, students in Maine who have epilepsy or other seizure-related diagnoses will experience increased safety in schools due to a new law. The bill, signed by Governor Mills last month, directs the Maine Department of Education to provide resources to schools that request assistance in developing a seizure action plan.
With this new law, Maine joins 24 other U.S. states that have implemented Seizure Safe Schools legislation.
Abby Werthmann experienced her first seizure at the age of ten while on an airplane with her family.
"It was scary and startling for everybody," Abby recalled. Abby has drug-resistant epilepsy and can suffer from up to 60 partial seizures a day. She can also have seizures that may cause her to black out. Despite undergoing two surgeries, her seizures persist.
To ensure her safety, she created a seizure action plan and encouraged her teachers at Falmouth High School to complete seizure first aid training so they would know what to do when she has a seizure.
"The acronym they use, I believe, is 'stay safe inside,' so just stay with the person, keep them safe, and roll them on their side," Abby explained.
Teachers can alert the school nurse, who always keeps Abby's rescue medication nearby, or call 911. According to the Epilepsy Foundation New England, about 1,100 students in Maine have some form of seizure diagnosis. There are currently 24 other states and the District of Columbia that have adopted laws to make school environments safer and more secure for students with epilepsy and other seizure disorders.
Earlier this spring, Abby joined other parents of children with epilepsy in lobbying for a bill, LD 211, that directs the Maine Department of Education to provide resources to school districts that request assistance in developing individualized seizure action plans.
"Epilepsy and seizures are unpredictable; I never know when or where a seizure will happen," Abby testified.
The bill was signed by Governor Mills last month and will take effect this fall. Rep. Amy Kuhn (D), Falmouth, one of the sponsors, states that the law makes potentially life-saving resources available to all impacted students across Maine.
"Whether or not they have an educational plan through a 504, they are still entitled to a seizure action plan for the care they receive throughout the day," Kuhn said.
Abby graduated in June and is planning to attend Columbia University later this summer. She hopes that the law will help other students with seizure disorders overcome obstacles and provide them with peace of mind, knowing they can be safe and successful in school.
Maine Department of Education spokeswoman, Chloe Teboe, tells News Center Maine in a statement, "LD 211 becomes law on September 24, 2025. The Maine Department of Education will be providing communication and guidance to school administrative units (SAUs) before the start of the 2025-2026 school year."
The Resolve does not require, direct, or mandate that SAUs adopt seizure action plans. The decision to do so for students without an IEP or 504 plan has been, and will continue to be, a local one.
Author: Vivien Leigh (NEWS CENTER Maine)
Published: 4:02 PM EDT July 17, 2025