SB1226 EngrossedLRB098 04241 RPM 34266 b


  
1    AN ACT concerning health.
  
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
 
3represented in the General Assembly:
  


 
4    Section 5. The Counties Code is amended  by adding Section 
53-3016.5 as follows:
 
6    (55 ILCS 5/3-3016.5 new)
7    Sec. 3-3016.5. Sudden, unexpected death in epilepsy 
8(SUDEP). 
9    (a) All autopsies conducted in this State shall include an 
10inquiry to determine whether the death was a direct result of a 
11seizure or epilepsy.  If the findings in an autopsy of a medical 
12examiner, examining physician, or coroner are consistent with 
13known or suspected sudden, unexpected death in epilepsy 
14(SUDEP), then the medical examiner, examining physician, or 
15coroner shall:
16        (1) cause to be indicated on the death certificate that 
17    SUDEP is the cause or suspected cause of death; and
18        (2) forward a copy of the death certificate to the 
19    North American  SUDEP Registry at the Langone Medical Center 
20    at New York University within 30 days.
21     (b) For the purposes of this Section, "sudden unexpected 
22death in epilepsy" refers to a death in a patient previously 
23diagnosed with epilepsy that is not due to trauma, drowning, 
 
 
SB1226 Engrossed- 2 -LRB098 04241 RPM 34266 b

1status epilepticus, or other known causes, but for which there 
2is often evidence of an associated seizure. A finding of 
3sudden, unexpected death in epilepsy is definite when clinical 
4criteria are met and autopsy reveals no alternative cause of 
5death, such as stroke, myocardial infarction, or drug 
6intoxication, although there may be evidence of a seizure. 
 

7    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect January 
81, 2014.