2020 -- S 2781

========

LC005246

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2020

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

     Introduced By: Senators Archambault, Satchell, Cano, Paolino, and Sheehan

     Date Introduced: March 12, 2020

     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:

     16-21-37. Basic emergency and response skills for teachers.

     (a) One third (1/3) of all Rhode Island teachers shall be required to complete training in the

basic emergency and response skills ("BEARS") curriculum, including hands-only

cardiopulmonary resuscitation, Heimlich maneuver, and bleeding control, for three (3) years, until

at least eighty percent (80%) of all teachers in each district have been trained once, during the

school years 2020-2021, 2021-2022, and 2022-2023.

     (b) The Rhode Island department of education shall verify that the required percentage of

teachers, in each school district, have been trained in and completed the "BEARS" curriculum;

provided, that each individual school district shall have autonomy over how that mandatory

curriculum is implemented.

     (c) Time spent by teachers receiving initial and refresher training in BEARS shall count

towards their professional development requirements.

     (d) No teachers or other school personnel, who have completed BEARS training who

render emergency care on school grounds, school buildings, or in school functions, shall be liable

to the person assisted, for civil damages due to any injuries which result from acts or omissions by

the person rendering the emergency care covered by the BEARS curriculum, which may constitute

ordinary negligence.

     (1) The immunity provided in subsection (d) of this section shall not apply to acts or

omissions constituting gross, willful or wanton negligence.

     (2) The provisions of this section shall not be construed to require any teacher or other

school personnel, to render emergency first aid.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC005246

========

LC005246 - Page 2 of 3

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

***

     This act would require that eighty percent (80%) of all teachers, in the next three (3) years,

be trained in the basic emergency and response skills curriculum ("BEARS"), specifically, in

hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation, Heimlich maneuver, and bleeding control.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC005246

========

LC005246 - Page 3 of 3