hb1031_LC_33_2503S_hs

hb1031_LC_33_2503S_hs_4.html

08 LC 33 2503S

The House Committee on Education offers the following substitute to HB 1031:

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To amend Part 3 of Article 16 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to student health in elementary and secondary education, so as to require each public high school in this state which has an interscholastic athletics program to have at least one functional automated external defibrillator on site at such school at all times for use during emergencies; to provide for legislative findings; to define a term; to provide for requirements on maintaining and using the defibrillator; to provide for state funding; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

The General Assembly finds that, although rare, sudden death in teenagers does occur. The General Assembly further finds that in recent years, there have been instances of cardiac arrest in high school students participating in interscholastic athletic events and practices. In instances of cardiac arrest, time is critical, and even with quick response from emergency personnel, it may not be fast enough for successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The General Assembly finds that automated external defibrillators are inexpensive and are not difficult to operate by lay persons as well as trained emergency personnel.

SECTION 2.

Part 3 of Article 16 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to student health in elementary and secondary education, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:

"20-2-775.

(a) As used in this Code section, the term 'automated external defibrillator' means a defibrillator which:

(1) Is capable of cardiac rhythm analysis;

(2) Will charge and be capable of being activated to deliver a countershock after electrically detecting the presence of certain cardiac dysrhythmias; and

(3) Is capable of continuously recording cardiac dysrhythmia at the scene with a mechanism for transfer and storage or for printing for review subsequent to use.

(b) No later than July 1, 2008, each public high school in this state which has an interscholastic athletics program shall have at least one functional automated external defibrillator on site at such school at all times and easily accessible during any school related function, including athletic practices, athletic competitions, and other occasions where students and others will be present, for use during emergencies.

(1) Ensure that expected users of the automated external defibrillator receive American Heart Association or American Red Cross training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator use or complete an equivalent nationally recognized course;

(2) Notify the appropriate emergency medical services system of the existence and location of the automated external defibrillator prior to said automated external defibrillator being placed in use;

(3) Ensure that the automated external defibrillator is maintained and tested according to the manufacturer´s operational guidelines;

(4) Ensure that there is involvement of a licensed physician or other person authorized by the composite board in the site´s automated external defibrillator program to ensure compliance with requirements for training, notification, and maintenance; and

(5) Ensure that designated personnel activate the emergency medical services system as soon as reasonably possible after any person renders emergency care or treatment to a person in cardiac arrest by using an automated external defibrillator and reports any clinical use of the automated external defibrillator to the licensed physician or other person authorized by the composite board who is supervising the program.

(d) Subject to appropriations by the General Assembly, the Department of Education shall provide funds to local school systems to assist in the purchase of automated external defibrillators pursuant to this Code section.

(e) The department and local school systems shall use diligent efforts to identify private sources of funding or donation of funding and equipment to meet the requirements of this Code section."

SECTION 3.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.