New bill known as 'Dylan's Law' aims to improve epilepsy care, raise awareness of SUDEP

Oklahoma lawmakers are considering House Bill 2013, also known as Dylan's Law, to provide better support for epilepsy patients.

Dylan's Law is named in honor of Dylan Whitten, who passed away in 2017 from sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). News 9 was joined by Dylan's sister Hannah Whitten and Oklahoma Rep. Daniel Pae from Lawton to discuss the proposed legislation.

"We want to make sure we protect and support the 41,000 Oklahomans who are living with it right now," Rep. Pae said. "It has various provisions in the bill clarifying insurance coverage, trying to better educate medical professionals on telling people with epilepsy and those at a higher risk of SUDEP how to treat those types of deals."

The bill could also provide funding for life-saving treatments, such as vagus nerve stimulators, to help reduce the risk of SUDEP for those living with epilepsy.

"Dylan passed away in 2017 from SUDEP, and despite him having every risk factor, we were never told of how to reduce sudden death in epilepsy," Hannah said. "After we lost my brother, we decided we would try to make a change, and hopefully no other Oklahoma family would have to lose a loved one."

House Bill 2013 has passed a subcommittee and is awaiting a full vote in the Appropriations Committee, with the hope of advancing into law.