CPR/AED TRAINING REQUIRED

IN CURRICULUM AND CONTENT GUIDELINES

House Bill 5160 (proposed substitute H-2)

Sponsor:  Rep. Thomas B. Hooker

Committee:  Education

Complete to 5-11-16

SUMMARY:

House Bill 5160 would amend the Revised School Code to describe the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillators (AED) training requirements the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) must incorporate into the model core academic curriculum content standards and subject area content expectations and guidelines for health education, under Section 1278a of the Code, not later than the 2016-2017 school year. 

Section 1278a lists the requirements for award of a high school diploma, which include the successful completion of specific credit requirements of the Michigan merit standard before graduating from high school.  In order to fulfill the health requirement, a student must either: (1) complete at least one credit in subject matter that includes both health and physical education aligned with the MDE's guidelines and approved by the State Board of Education, or (2) complete at least half a credit in that subject matter and be awarded half a credit for approved participation in extracurricular athletics. House Bill 5160 is understood to incorporate CPR and AED training into this health requirement.    

CPR and AED Instruction

The MDE must ensure that the model core academic curriculum content standards for health education and the subject area content expectations and guidelines for health education (Section 1278a) provide for certain training in CPR and the use of AEDs. 

For all students in grades 7 to 12, the standards and guidelines must provide for instruction in CPR and AEDs.  They must also ensure that the psychomotor skills necessary to perform CPR are incorporated into the instruction (which indicates that students must practice the respirations and chest compressions in addition to receiving instruction).  Finally, they must ensure that the instruction is based on either (1) an instructional program developed by the American Red Cross or American Heart Association or (2) nationally recognized, evidence-based guidelines for CPR. 

An AED is a medical device that analyzes the heart's rhythm and, if necessary, delivers an electric shock which helps the heart re-establish effective rhythm.

Qualifications of instructor  

A certificated teacher may facilitate, provide, or oversee instruction on these topics even if not an authorized CPR/AED instructor.  However, if the CPR instruction described above would result in a pupil earning a CPR certification card or status, that instruction must be taught by an authorized CPR/AED instructor. 

Schools encouraged to use local resources

The bill also encourages school districts and governing bodies to use locally available resources to provide the required instruction, including emergency medical technicians, paramedics, police officers, firefighters, representatives of the American Heart Association or American Red Cross, or properly trained teachers or other school employees.

           

            Proposed MCL 380.1168

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill could increase costs, by an indeterminate amount, for the state, and could increase costs, by an indeterminate amount, for intermediate school districts (ISDs), school districts, and public school academies (PSAs).

The Michigan Department of Education could incur minimal increased administrative costs, by an indeterminate amount, to ensure that the model of core academic curriculum content standards for Health Education and the subject area content expectations and guidelines for Health Education provide for instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillators (AED).  The bill could also increase costs to schools that are not already requiring instruction in CPR and AEDs.  While not required, additional costs to schools could include certification of teaching personnel to provide certification card or status training to students.

                                                                                        Legislative Analyst:   Jennifer McInerney

                                                                                                Fiscal Analyst:   Bethany Wicksall

                                                                                                                           Samuel Christensen

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.