HLS 14RS-1250 ORIGINAL
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE BILL NO. 542
BY REPRESENTATIVE WILLMOTT
CURRICULA: Requires instruction relative to CPR and automated external defibrillators
to be integrated into the curriculum of an existing required course of study in public
high schools
AN ACT1
To enact R.S. 17:81(X) and 3996(B)(34), relative to instruction in public high schools2
regarding cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillators; to3
require and provide guidelines for such instruction; to provide relative to rules and4
regulations; and to provide for related matters.5
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:6
Section 1. R.S. 17:81(X) and 3996(B)(34) are hereby enacted to read as follows:7
§81. General powers of local public school boards8
* * *9
X.(1) The governing authority of each public school that enrolls students in10
grades nine through twelve shall provide instruction relative to cardiopulmonary11
resuscitation and the use of an automated external defibrillator. Such instruction12
shall be integrated into the curriculum of an existing required course, such as health13
education, physical education, or another required course deemed appropriate by the14
school governing authority, and shall include the following:15
(a) An instructional program developed by the American Heart Association16
or the American Red Cross or an instructional program that is nationally recognized17
and based on the most current national evidence-based emergency cardiovascular18 HLS 14RS-1250 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 542
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care guidelines for the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of1
an automated external defibrillator.2
(b) Training for students relative to the psychomotor skills necessary to3
perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation. For the purposes of this Subparagraph,4
"psychomotor skills" means skills that students are required to perform as hands-on5
practice to support cognitive learning.6
(2)(a) A classroom teacher shall not be required to be a certified trainer of7
cardiopulmonary resuscitation to facilitate, provide, or oversee the instruction.8
(b) The governing authority of each public school may consult and partner9
with the following individuals whom the governing authority may authorize to10
participate in providing the instruction:11
(i) Emergency medical technicians, paramedics, physicians, nurses,12
respiratory therapists, police officers, deputy sheriffs, or firefighters, each of whom13
must be currently licensed, certified, or commissioned according to his respective14
occupation in order to participate in providing such instruction.15
(ii) Representatives of the American Heart Association or the American Red16
Cross or other similarly qualified individuals.17
(c) Instruction required pursuant to this Subsection shall not result in the18
certification of students in cardiopulmonary resuscitation or the use of an automated19
external defibrillator. If, separate and apart from the instruction required by this20
Subsection, a school governing authority provides a training program that is intended21
to result in such certification, the instructor shall be authorized to provide instruction22
for certification by the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, or a23
similar nationally recognized association. Prior to the certification of any student24
under the age of eighteen through such a training program, a school governing25
authority shall obtain parental consent.26
(d) The physical presence of an automated external defibrillator in the27
classroom is not required. The instruction need only provide general information on28
the use and importance of automated external defibrillators.29 HLS 14RS-1250 ORIGINAL
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(3) The governing authority of each public school shall adopt rules and1
regulations necessary for the implementation of this Subsection.2
(4) The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall establish3
a procedure to monitor the compliance of each public school governing authority4
with the requirements of this Subsection.5
* * *6
§3996. Charter schools; exemptions; requirements7
* * *8
B. Notwithstanding any state law, rule, or regulation to the contrary and9
except as may be otherwise specifically provided for in an approved charter, a10
charter school established and operated in accordance with the provisions of this11
Chapter and its approved charter and the school's officers and employees shall be12
exempt from all statutory mandates or other statutory requirements that are13
applicable to public schools and to public school officers and employees except for14
the following laws otherwise applicable to public schools with the same grades:15
* * *16
(34) Instruction relative to cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of17
automatic external defibrillators, R.S. 17:81(X).18
* * *19
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Willmott HB No. 542
Abstract: Requires instruction relative to CPR and automated external defibrillators to be
integrated into the curriculum of an existing required course of study in public high
schools.
Proposed law requires the governing authorities of public schools enrolling students in
grades nine through 12 to provide instruction relative to cardiopulmonary resuscitation
(CPR) and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED). Requires the integration
of such instruction into the curriculum of an existing required course, such as health
education, physical education, or another required course deemed appropriate by the school
governing authority and requires the instruction to include the following: HLS 14RS-1250 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 542
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are additions.
(1)An instructional program developed by the American Heart Assoc. (AHA) or the
American Red Cross (ARC) or that is nationally recognized and based on the most
current national evidence-based emergency cardiovascular care guidelines for CPR
and AED.
(2)Hands-on training for students relative to the psychomotor skills necessary to
perform CPR.
Authorizes public school governing authorities to partner with emergency medical
technicians, paramedics, physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, police officers, deputy
sheriffs, or firefighters, each of whom must be currently licensed, certified, or commissioned
according to his respective occupation in order to participate in providing such instruction,
as well as representatives of the AHA or ARC or other similarly qualified individuals.
Provides that a classroom teacher is not required to be a certified trainer of CPR to facilitate,
provide, or oversee this instruction.
Prohibits the instruction required by proposed law to result in the certification of students
in CPR or the use of an AED. Should a school governing authority provide, separate and
apart from the instruction required by proposed law, a training program intended to result
in such certification, requires that the instructor be authorized to provide instruction for
certification by the AHA, ARC, or a similar nationally recognized association. Further
requires a school governing authority to obtain parental consent prior to the certification of
any student under the age of 18 through such a training program.
Provides that the physical presence of an AED in the classroom is not required and that the
instruction need only provide general information on the use and importance of automated
external defibrillators.
Requires public school governing authorities to adopt rules and regulations necessary for
proposed law implementation and the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
to establish a procedure to monitor the compliance of public school governing authorities
with proposed law. Proposed law is applicable to all public schools enrolling students in
grades nine through 12, including charter schools.
(Adds R.S. 17:81(X) and 3996(B)(34))