SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6157

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.

As Reported by Senate Committee On:

Early Learning & K-12 Education, January 31, 2020

Title: An act relating to bleeding control kits in schools.

Brief Description: Requiring schools to stock bleeding control kits.

Sponsors: Senators Dhingra, Wellman, Wilson, C., Das, Lovelett and Nguyen.

Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 1/17/20, 1/31/20 [DPS, w/oRec].

Brief Summary of First Substitute Bill

Requires each school district, by the beginning of the 2020-21 school year, to maintain and make available a bleeding control kit located on each school campus for use in the event of a traumatic injury involving blood loss.
Requires each school to have a certain number of employees trained to use the kits.
Specifies the items that must and may be included in the kit.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6157 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Wellman, Chair; Wilson, C., Vice Chair; Hunt, Mullet, Pedersen and Salomon.

Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.

Signed by Senators Hawkins, Ranking Member; Padden and Wagoner.

Staff: Ailey Kato (786-7434)

Background: Current state law allows school districts to maintain certain health related items including epinephrine autoinjectors, opioid overdose reversal medication, and automated external defibrillators.

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, "Stop the Bleed" is a national awareness campaign that encourages bystanders to become trained and equipped to help in a bleeding emergency before professional help arrives.

Summary of Bill (First Substitute): Bleeding Control Kits. Beginning in the 2020-21 school year, each school district must maintain and make available to school employees and volunteers a bleeding control kit located on each school campus in an easily accessible area for use in the event of a traumatic injury involving blood loss.

Each kit must include certain items such as a tourniquet, bandages, gloves, and instructional documents detailing methods to prevent blood loss.

A kit may include other medical materials and equipment approved by local law enforcement or first responders, that can adequately treat a traumatic injury, and can be stored in a readily available kit.

School districts must inspect and inventory each kit annually and after each use to ensure that it has all of the required items and the items are not expired.

Training. School districts must require each school to have a minimum of two employees per school who have completed training with certain requirements. If a school has more than 1000 students, it must have one trained employee per 500 students. School districts may satisfy the training requirements by using trainings developed by the United States Department of Homeland Security, the American College of Surgeons, or similar organizations.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION COMMITTEE (First Substitute):

Removes the requirement that the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction develop and provide training for the use of bleeding control kits.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill: The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard. PRO: Schools must be prepared for bleeding emergencies including shootings at school, lacerations, and car accidents. A person can bleed to death in three to four minutes if the hemorrhaging is not stopped and before professional help has arrived. Bystanders can help save lives with simple techniques. There are instructions in the kit, and training is free, accessible, and comprehensive. Training should be in person. Any bystander can do more help than harm. The cost of the kits is not that expensive, and schools can shift their resources to cover the cost of these kits. By mandating these kits in all schools, all students will get the same level of safety and protection. The bill should indemnify people who use this equipment and are acting in good faith.

OTHER: OSPI does not need to be involved with the training.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Rohan Krishnan, citizen; Gauri Srikumar, citizen; Rian Alam, citizen; Jason Zhang, citizen; Samuel Mandell, Harborview Medical Center, Washington Committee on Trauma; Matthew Eckert, U.S. Army. OTHER: Katherine Mahoney, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.