Brief Description: Requiring that CPR be included in high school curriculum.

Sponsors: Representatives Williams, Rodne and Ericks.

Hearing Date: 2/1/06

Staff: Barbara McLain (786-7383).

Background:

One of the Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALRs) for health and fitness is that students acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to maintain a healthy life, including reducing health risks and living safely.

To supplement the EALRs, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction has developed Grade Level Expectations (GLEs) that more specifically describe the content, at each grade level, that students should be taught. One of the proposed GLEs in health and fitness for ninth and tenth grade students is to "maintain emergency and first aid skills and successfully complete a cardiopulminary resuscitation (CPR), automatic external defibrillator (AED), or first-aid course. The suggested evidence of learning for this GLE is that the student demonstrates competency in one of these courses.

Summary of Bill:

All high schools must include instruction in CPR in their health and fitness curriculum, based on up-to-date instructional methods and materials. A high school can collaborate with local agencies such as police or fire departments, or community organizations such as the Red Cross, to offer the instruction.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.