Minnesota Senate Bill SF1979

Minnesota 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/20/23
• Refer: 2/20/23

Caption

CPR and AED instruction provisions modification to include the Health and Safety Institute

Impact

This legislation aims to enhance emergency preparedness among Minnesota youth by ensuring they receive proper CPR and AED instruction before graduating. The involvement of community volunteers, including emergency medical personnel, is encouraged, which may reduce the burden on school districts to provide these resources. By integrating this health education into the school curriculum, the state hopes to increase knowledge and competency in life-saving techniques among adolescents, potentially leading to improved public health outcomes in emergency situations.

Summary

SF1979 introduces amendments to existing Minnesota statutes concerning cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automatic external defibrillator (AED) instruction in schools. The bill mandates that school districts include CPR and AED training in the education curriculum for grades 7 to 12. The training is designed to equip students with essential life-saving skills, utilizing resources from recognized organizations such as the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, and the Health and Safety Institute. Notably, the bill stresses the incorporation of psychomotor skills into the training, emphasizing hands-on practice.

Contention

Some points of contention may arise regarding the implementation logistics and the potential costs associated with training programs and materials. While the bill encourages community contributions to aid in instruction and resource provision, there may be concerns about the consistency and reliability of the training provided by volunteers. Additionally, the provision allowing waiver of the training requirement for certain students raises questions about equity and access to this critical life skill among all student populations.