[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 494 Engrossed in Senate (ES)]

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119th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                 S. 494

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 AN ACT


 
 To establish a national plan to coordinate research on epilepsy, and 
                          for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``National Plan for Epilepsy Act''.

SEC. 2. REVIEW TO IMPROVE EPILEPSY PROGRAMS, RESEARCH, PREVENTION, AND 
              CARE.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services 
(referred to in this section as the ``Secretary'') shall review and, as 
necessary and appropriate, provide recommendations to Congress 
regarding, and update existing Federal programs, activities, and 
strategic plans related to, epilepsy research, prevention, early 
identification, diagnosis, and treatment for purposes of identifying 
and addressing knowledge gaps and improving health outcomes related to 
epilepsy.
    (b) Content.--The review under subsection (a) shall include--
            (1) a review of findings from evidence-based research on 
        epilepsy, the status of ongoing, federally-funded research on 
        epilepsy, knowledge gaps related to epilepsy, and disparities 
        in populations with epilepsy;
            (2) a review of Federal programs related to epilepsy 
        research, prevention, early identification, diagnosis, and 
        treatment, which shall include consideration of--
                    (A) gaps in, and opportunities for, coordination 
                among such programs;
                    (B) opportunities to inform global efforts to 
                prevent, diagnose, treat, and cure epilepsy, as 
                appropriate;
                    (C) near- and long-term goals of such programs to 
                improve research, prevention, early identification, 
                diagnosis, and treatment of epilepsy; and
                    (D) the level of Federal investment in preventing, 
                diagnosing, treating, and curing epilepsy;
            (3) consideration of opportunities to--
                    (A) improve collaboration between Federal agencies 
                and relevant stakeholders to address gaps in programs, 
                research, and services;
                    (B) eliminate knowledge gaps in research on 
                epilepsy, including a review of the impact of epilepsy 
                on the health and well-being of individuals with 
                epilepsy and their caregivers;
                    (C) improve early diagnosis and coordination of the 
                care and treatment of individuals with epilepsy;
                    (D) better prevent sudden unexpected death in 
                epilepsy and other epilepsy-related mortalities;
                    (E) improve surveillance of epilepsy; and
                    (F) support the development of new treatments, 
                strategies, and other approaches to prevent, diagnose, 
                treat, and cure epilepsy or to enhance functioning and 
                improve quality of life for individuals with epilepsy 
                and their caregivers; and
            (4) a review of current public health strategies, and 
        consideration of additional evidence-based strategies, related 
        to epilepsy.
    (c) External Input.--To inform the review under subsection (a), the 
Secretary shall regularly convene and solicit input from other Federal 
agencies, as appropriate, and relevant stakeholders, including patient 
advocates and non-Federal subject matter experts.
    (d) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on 
Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report on the 
findings of the review conducted under subsection (a), including--
            (1) a description of steps the Secretary took to solicit 
        stakeholder input pursuant to subsection (c) and a summary of 
        feedback received from, and needs identified by, such 
        stakeholders;
            (2) recommendations to improve coordination and support of 
        Federal programs in order to better support people with 
        epilepsy, epilepsy research, and data collection, and proposals 
        for implementation of such recommendations, as appropriate; and
            (3) any changes to Federal programs, activities, or 
        strategic plans recommended by the Secretary based on the 
        review, and any statutory or other barriers that impede 
        implementation of such changes.

            Passed the Senate August 4, 2026.

            Attest:

                                                             Secretary.
119th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                                 S. 494

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 AN ACT

 To establish a national plan to coordinate research on epilepsy, and 
                          for other purposes.