This spring, we reached a landmark moment for the epilepsy community in California. In April 2026, Senator Scott Wiener presented SCR 124 on the Senate floor, and it passed unanimously. For those of us at the Epilepsy Foundation of Northern California who have long advocated for transportation equity, this was more than a legislative victory. It was a validation of what our community has known for years: transportation is not a luxury, it is a lifeline to employment, independence, and economic participation.
I had the privilege of being present on the Senate floor that day alongside EFNC advocates, watching as our voices were heard and our concerns elevated to state policy. The resolution, which was chaptered by the state, recognizes that individuals with epilepsy face mandatory driving restrictions that profoundly limit their access to employment, particularly in suburban and rural areas where public transportation is insufficient or unavailable. Research has shown that adults with epilepsy experience unemployment rates significantly higher than those without the condition, largely due to transportation barriers. SCR 124 directly confronts this disparity by encouraging state agencies to evaluate existing programs, develop policy options, and consider pilot initiatives that improve reliable, affordable, and accessible transportation for individuals with epilepsy.
What makes this moment even more significant is the momentum building at the federal level. The National Plan for Epilepsy Act (H.R. 1189) has passed the Senate unanimously, establishing a coordinated national strategy to prevent, diagnose, treat, and cure epilepsy. The Act recognizes that 32 percent of adults with epilepsy are unable to work, and over half of individuals with uncontrolled seizures live in households earning less than $25,000 per year. By creating an Advisory Council on Epilepsy Research, Care, and Services, the National Plan will address critical issues like access to care, health disparities, and, importantly, the social and economic determinants of health that include transportation. The establishment of the Congressional Epilepsy Caucus in Washington, D.C. provides an additional platform to elevate these issues to a national level, ensuring broader recognition and support for transportation accessibility for adults with epilepsy.
SCR 124 and the National Plan for Epilepsy Act are complementary pieces of a larger puzzle. Both recognize that improving the lives of people with epilepsy requires more than medical advancements. It requires addressing the systemic barriers that prevent economic self-sufficiency. Ireland has successfully implemented policies to improve transportation access for individuals with epilepsy, demonstrating that feasible models exist and can be adapted to California’s needs. Our resolution encourages coordination with federal partners and welcomes advocacy organizations like ours to inform and advance complementary state-federal strategies. As we look ahead, our work is far from done. SCR 124 is a resolution, a powerful statement of intent that urges action. The next step is translating that intent into tangible programs and pilot initiatives that make a real difference in people’s lives. We will continue to work with the Legislature, state agencies, and our partners in the epilepsy community to ensure that transportation access becomes a reality for all Californians living with epilepsy. Here’s to the road ahead.
Selim Yilmaz
Epilepsy Foundation of Northern California Lobbyist