Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Education Committee

HB 1556

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Summary of Bill

Requires the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), in consultation with others, to develop guidelines for a medical emergency response and automated external defibrillator program for high schools.
Requires each school district with a high school to offer instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Requires that completion of the CPR instruction be a condition of passing at least one health and safety class necessary for graduation.

Background:

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.

Cardiac arrest is when the heart stops contracting effectively, leading to a loss of blood circulation. This results in loss of pulse and blood pressure. The body and brain are then deprived of oxygenated blood. Death will often occur quickly unless heart rhythm, an adequate pulse, and blood pressure can be re-established.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency procedure performed to preserve brain function until further measures are taken to restore blood circulation and breathing in a person experiencing cardiac arrest. The CPR combines chest compressions and breathing into the nose or mouth with the goal of restoring a partial flow of oxygenated blood to the brain and heart. The objective is to delay tissue damage and other issues until defibrillation, an electric shock to the heart, can restore heart rhythm.

Credits Required for Graduation.

In order to graduate from high school, there are a number of requirements, including 20 credits in specified course areas. Two of those 20 credits must be health and fitness credits. In 2016, students must complete a .5 credit of health and 1.5 credits of fitness.

Summary of Bill:

The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), in consultation with school districts and stakeholder groups, shall develop guidance for a medical emergency response and automated external defibrillator (AED) program for high schools. This response and program must comply with current evidence-based guidance from the American Heart Association or other national science organization. The OSPI in consultation with the Department of Health, will assist districts in carrying out these programs and provide guidelines and advice for seeking grants for the purchase of the AEDs. The OSPI may coordinate with local health districts or other organizations in seeking grants and donations for this purpose.

Every school district that operates a high school must offer instruction in the CPR to students. Beginning with the graduating class of 2017, CPR instruction is a requirement for passing at least one health and fitness class necessary for graduation. The CPR instruction must:

be an instructional program developed by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross or be nationally recognized and based on the most current national evidence-based emergency cardiovascular care guidelines for the CPR;
Include appropriate use of an AED; and
Incorporate hands-on practice in addition to cognitive learning.

School districts may offer the instruction in the CPR directly or arrange for a community-based provider to deliver the instruction. The instruction is not required to be provided by a certificated teacher. Certificated teachers providing the instruction are not required to be certified trainers of the CPR. Students are not required to earn CPR certification to complete this instruction.