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Committee approves bill reducing seizure‑free driving interval from 12 to 6 months
Summary
Senate Bill 540 would change the law to limit driver‑license restrictions for seizure patients to six months rather than the current 12 months in Department rules; sponsors say the change aligns Arkansas with evidence and national society guidance, but committee members raised questions about reporting and enforcement.
State Representative Denise Ennett, District 80, presented Senate Bill 540 and said the bill would replace a 12‑month seizure‑free restriction that currently exists in Department of Driver Services rules with a maximum statutory restriction of six months.
Olivia Cox, a nurse practitioner in adult neurology representing neurology providers, said the bill “align[s] Arkansas state law with evidence‑based practice” and cited that 38 states have six‑month or shorter guidance. Cox told the committee that longer mandatory reporting intervals and mandatory clinician reporting can increase unlicensed driving and discourage patients from seeking care; she said the bill follows American Academy of Neurology, American Epilepsy Society and Epilepsy Foundation 2025 guidance.
Allison Johnson, an epilepsy advocate, explained that the Department of Driver Services rule currently requires a 12‑month seizure‑free interval and that doctors are not required to report seizures to the department; she said reporting is publicly voluntary because mandatory reporting can harm the patient‑doctor relationship.
Committee members asked how the change would be implemented and how Driver Services would know when a patient’s last seizure occurred. Sponsors and witnesses said that most states do not require clinician reporting to driver services and that the change is meant to encourage compliance and reduce the number of patients hiding seizures from their providers. Representative Ennett said the bill “take[s] a significant step towards updating our state's policy to reflect current medical understanding.” Representative McElroy moved to pass the bill and the committee approved it by voice vote.
