In a decisive move to bolster support for individuals afflicted with epilepsy, the Oklahoma House of Representatives has recently ushered House Bill 2013, referred to as Dylan's Law, to the governor's desk awaiting a signature. Named in memory of Dylan, who succumbed to sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) at 25, the legislation has garnered bipartisan backing - a notable feat in today's often polarized political climate. As reported by the Oklahoma House, the bill was formulated by Rep. Daniel Pae in conjunction with Hannah Whitten, Dylan's sister, elevating Dylan's tragic ending into a clarion call for change.
The bill, if signed into law, mandates comprehensive epilepsy education spearheaded by the State Commissioner of Health, targeting medical professionals to better recognize and manage SUDEP risks. Moreover, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will be required, tasked with scrutinizing death cases in search of potential SUDEP indicators. Endorsing the legislation, Rep. Daniel Pae expressed to The Oklahoma House that "Dylan’s Law is about saving lives and honoring those we’ve lost to SUDEP."
Dylan's Law also empowers the Division of Health Care Information with the responsibility of developing a program to educate the public on SUDEP risks. Autopsies conducted on individuals who were known to have epilepsy will incorporate a probe into whether SUDEP was a contributing factor in their death. This significant detail is then to be noted on the death certificate and logged with the North American SUDEP Registry.
Additional provisions slated to commence on June 1, 2026, introduce a new symbol on state-issued driver’s licenses or ID cards for those with epilepsy who choose to participate, which in turn facilitates prompt identification by law enforcement and emergency responders. In a statement by Hannah Whitten seen in The Oklahoma House coverage, the goal is stark and simple, "I pray another family doesn’t have to suffer like we have." Notably, the symbol also extends its utility to the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Telecommunications System, boasting optional removal at any given time by the individual.
With the final approval nailed down by a 60-22 vote last Thursday, Dylan's Law is a step away from being etched into the statutes of Oklahoma state law. Should the governor ink the bill, its provisions, as laid out by the source, will take effect starting November 1.
