2016 -- S 2494

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LC003643

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

     Introduced By: Senators Ruggerio, Paiva Weed, Algiere, Goodwin, and Coyne

     Date Introduced: February 25, 2016

     Referred To: Senate Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-21 of the General Laws entitled "Health and Safety of Pupils" is

hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     16-21-33.1. Automatic external defibrillators. – (a) Legislative findings:

     (1) Approximately three hundred twenty-five thousand (325,000) Americans suffer

sudden cardiac arrest ("SCA") each year and more than ninety-five percent (95%) of them die

before reaching the hospital;

     (2) In the population of Rhode Island, an estimated one thousand (1,000) residents will

die of cardiac arrest every year;

     (3) No official statistics have been gathered about SCA in children, however experts

estimate about three hundred (300) deaths because of SCA every year for people under the age of

twenty-one (21) or about one tenth of one percent (.001%);

     (4) This means that at least one person under the age of twenty-one (21) years, most

likely a student, will die due to athletics related SCA every year in Rhode Island;

     (5) If defibrillation is performed within five (5) to seven (7) minutes, chances of survival

are increased by forty-nine percent (49%). Every minute that goes by without defibrillation

reduces the chance of survival by seven percent (7%) to ten percent (10%);

     (6) Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are extremely accurate computerized

devices that can be operated by the average person;

     (7) AEDs are inexpensive and grants for AEDs are mostly given to non-profit

organizations, such as schools; and

     (8) AEDs can be acquired through grants from various organizations or through

government agencies.

     (b) All high schools and middle schools, whether they are public or privately run, shall

have a functional AED on school grounds at all times. A functional AED must be at all times

deployed in a manner in which best provides accessibility to staff, coaches, and athletic trainers

for all sporting events involving school teams. During any and all sporting events, at least one

person must be present who is properly trained in the use of the AED by the American Heart

Association or comparable state recognized agency.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on August 1, 2016.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

***

     This act would mandate that all high schools and middle schools have a functional

Automated External Defibrillator (AED) on site at all times. The act also provides that the AED

must be accessible to athletic staff, coaches, and trainers, for all sporting events involving school

teams. The act also provides that during sporting events, at least one person must be present who

is trained in the use of the AED.

     This act would take effect on August 1, 2016.

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