H-1347.1 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL 1999
_______________________________________________
State of Washington 57th Legislature 2001 Regular Session
By Representatives Schual‑Berke, Campbell, Cody, Skinner and Simpson
Read first time 02/12/2001. Referred to Committee on Health Care.
AN ACT Relating to automated external defibrillators; and creating new sections.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and that the American Heart Association estimates that two hundred twenty thousand Americans die from sudden cardiac arrest each year. Further, the legislature finds that a cardiac arrest victim's chance of survival drops ten percent for every minute that passes before his or her heart is returned to normal rhythm, that the American Heart Association recommends delivery of electric shock by a defibrillator within five minutes of an out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest, that lifesaving technology, the automated external defibrillator, has been developed to allow trained lay rescuers to safely and effectively respond to cardiac arrest by shocking the heart into normal rhythm, and that the state of Washington recognized the importance of expanding the availability of such devices by extending liability protections to those who purchase and use such devices. Accordingly, the legislature determines that Washington's citizens would be greatly benefited by having access to these devices in public buildings.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) In order to assist in improving the survival rate of individuals who experience sudden cardiac arrest in buildings operated by state and local governments, the department of health shall consult with the American Heart Association, the Washington state association of counties, the association of Washington cities, and other interested parties, in order to gather, analyze, and present findings on the best means to place automated external defibrillators in state and local government buildings. The issues to be addressed include, but are not limited to, the following:
(a) Selection of public buildings where automated external defibrillators should be placed, with special consideration to government buildings accessible to the public;
(b) Details of automated external defibrillator purchase, placement, oversight, and maintenance;
(c) Integration of automated external defibrillators with existing emergency medical services; and
(d) Initial and ongoing training required in automated external defibrillator use and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
(2) The department of health shall submit its findings in a report required by subsection (1) of this section, along with recommendations, by December 1, 2001, to the appropriate legislative committees.
--- END ---