Rhode Island 2025 Regular Session

Rhode Island Senate Bill S0392 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

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5	5	2025 -- S 0392
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7	7	LC001388
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9	9	S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
10	10	IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
11	11	JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025
12	12	____________
13	13
14	14	A N A C T
15	15	RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS
16	16	Introduced By: Senators Tikoian, Patalano, LaMountain, Ciccone, Burke, Felag, Urso,
17	17	Dimitri, Rogers, and Thompson
18	18	Date Introduced: February 26, 2025
19	19	Referred To: Senate Education
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22	22	It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
23	23	SECTION 1. Chapter 16-21 of the General Laws entitled "Health and Safety of Pupils" is 1
24	24	hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 2
25	25	16-21-43. Basic emergency and response skills for teachers. 3
26	26	(a) At least eighty percent (80%) of teachers in each district shall have been trained in the 4
27	27	basic emergency and response skills ("BEARS") curriculum, including, hands-only 5
28	28	cardiopulmonary resuscitation, Heimlich maneuver, and bleeding control, within the last three (3) 6
29	29	years. 7
30	30	(b) In the school year 2025-2026, the BEARS curriculum will also include safety training 8
31	31	related to SARS-COV-2. 9
32	32	(c) The BEARS training requirements shall phase into effect over a three (3) year 10
33	33	timeframe. One third (⅓) of all teachers shall be required to complete "BEARS" teacher training 11
34	34	every year, until at least eighty percent (80%) of teachers in each district have been trained once 12
35	35	during the school years 2025-2026, 2026-2027, and 2027-2028. 13
36	36	(d) Time spent by teachers receiving initial and refresher training in BEARS shall count 14
37	37	towards professional development requirements. 15
38	38	(e) The department of education shall verify that the required percentage of teachers in 16
39	39	each school district have been trained in the BEARS curriculum; however, each individual school 17
40	40	district shall have autonomy over how the curriculum is implemented within each district. 18
41	41	(f) A teacher or other school personnel, who has completed BEARS training, who renders 19
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45	45	emergency care on school grounds, school buildings, or during school functions, shall not be liable 1
46	46	to the person assisted, for civil damages for any injuries which result from acts or omissions by the 2
47	47	person rendering the emergency care of administration of subjects covered by the BEARS 3
48	48	curriculum, which may constitute ordinary negligence. The immunity provided in this subsection 4
49	49	does not apply to acts or omissions constituting gross, willful or wanton negligence. 5
50	50	(g) The provisions of this section shall not be construed to require any teacher or other 6
51	51	school personnel to render emergency first aid. 7
52	52	(h) Each school district shall, from funds not otherwise allocated during the fiscal year, 8
53	53	provide funding for each faculty member trained, at a rate determined in the state budget. 9
54	54	SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 10
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61	61	EXPLANATION
62	62	BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
63	63	OF
64	64	A N A C T
65	65	RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS
66	66	***
67	67	This act would require that one third (1/3) of all Rhode Island teachers, each year, for the 1
68	68	next three (3) years, be trained in the basic emergency and response skills curriculum ("BEARS"), 2
69	69	specifically in hand-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation, Heimlich maneuver, and bleeding control. 3
70	70	This act would take effect upon passage. 4
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72	72	LC001388
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