FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 1556

C 181 L 13

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Creating initiatives in high schools to save lives in the event of cardiac arrest.

Sponsors: House Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Van De Wege, Dahlquist, Morrell, Hayes, Cody, Pettigrew, Habib, McCoy, Ryu, Angel, Hunt, Goodman, Pollet, Fitzgibbon, Stonier, Dunshee and Fey).

House Committee on Education

House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Education

Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education

Background:

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.

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 half credit of health and 1.5 credits of fitness.

Summary:

The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), in consultation with school districts and stakeholder groups, must 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 another national science organization. The OSPI, in consultation with the Department of Health, must 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 CPR to students. Beginning in the 2013-14 school year, instruction in CPR must be included in at least one health 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 CPR;

• include appropriate use of an AED, which may be taught by video; and

• incorporate hands-on practice in addition to cognitive learning.

School districts may offer the instruction in 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 CPR. Students are not required to earn CPR certification to complete this instruction.

Votes on Final Passage: