Driving Bill Passed the Assembly Floor Unanimously

Great news! Senate Bill 357 has passed the Assembly floor and will continue to move forward through the legislative process. This bill is a crucial step forward in protecting the doctor-patient relationship and improving access to care for the over 425,000 Californians living with epilepsy. Let’s continue to eradicate discrimination of people with epilepsy. Thank you Senator Anthony Portantino for introducing this bill.

Epilepsy is the fourth-most common neurological disorder, affecting more than 3.4 million Americans and more than 425,000 Californians. Yet here in California, a 1957 state law discriminates against drivers with epilepsy and other conditions by requiring physicians to automatically report these drivers to the Department of Motor Vehicles. Research has shown that these requirements often result in patients withholding crucial information from their physicians and not seeking the care they need. This is due to fear of losing their right to drive. When a person with epilepsy withholds critical information from their doctor, they jeopardize their access to appropriate care, risking an increase of seizure activity or even a loss of seizure control.

For more information on this bill, visit this link.