Bill Text: NJ SR75 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges boards of education to improve staff and student preparedness for responding to incidents of sudden cardiac arrest.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2011-03-22 - Filed with Secretary of State [SR75 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-SR75-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator JIM WHELAN
District 2 (Atlantic)
Senator ANDREW R. CIESLA
District 10 (Monmouth and Ocean)
SYNOPSIS
Urges boards of education to improve staff and student preparedness for responding to incidents of sudden cardiac arrest.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Senate Resolution urging boards of education to improve staff and student preparedness for responding to incidents of sudden cardiac arrest.
Whereas, According to the American Heart Association, approximately 295,000 sudden cardiac arrests occur each year in the United States outside of a hospital setting; and
Whereas, While on average, just 8% of out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest victims in the United States survive, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and early defibrillation with an automated external defibrillator can more than double a victim's chance of survival; and
Whereas, Tragically, there have been a number of instances in recent years when seemingly healthy students have, without warning, died as a result of sudden cardiac arrest during school athletic events or other physical activity; and
Whereas, Automated external defibrillators are portable devices used to induce electrical stimulation to the heart muscle in the event of a potential cardiac arrest and early access defibrillation has been recognized as a significant factor in survival for victims of sudden cardiac arrest; and
Whereas, The lack of a sufficient number of automated external defibrillators and a sufficient number of persons trained in the use of defibrillators or the performance of CPR in school districts, results in lost opportunities to save young lives; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:
1. The Senate of the State of New Jersey urges all boards of education in the State to take precautionary measures to protect students and staff from sudden cardiac death through such actions as: the installation of an automated external defibrillator at each of its schools; the provision of training to staff on the appropriate use of these devices; the development of an emergency action response plan for each school that addresses the appropriate use of school staff in responding to cardiac arrests and similar health crises which may occur on school grounds; and the implementation of a CPR training program for all students and staff.
2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the President of the Senate and attested by the Secretary thereof, shall be transmitted to the State Board of Education to be disseminated to all public school district boards of education.
STATEMENT
This Senate resolution urges all boards of education in the State to take precautionary measures to protect students and staff from sudden cardiac death through such actions as: the installation of an automated external defibrillator at each of its schools; the provision of training to staff on the appropriate use of these devices, in combination with training on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR); the development of an emergency action response plan for each school that addresses the appropriate use of school staff in responding to cardiac arrests and similar health crises which may occur on school grounds; and the implementation of a CPR training program for all staff and students.
