SCA Foundation Urges Support for the Lifesaving Measure

A bill introduced yesterday by the Connecticut Public Health Committee would require schools throughout the state to have automated external defibrillators (AEDs), train school personnel in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and AED use, and develop emergency response plans by July 1, 2010.  See Raised Bill No. 981.

A clause in the bill states that schools would be exempt from the requirement if state, local, federal or private funds for training and AEDs are unavailable.

A hearing has been scheduled for Friday February 27th at 10 AM.

Among those advocating for the bill are Larry and Evelyn Pontbriant, of Norwich, CT, parents of Larry Pontbriant, who died from sudden cardiac arrest in August 2007. Pontbriant, 15, a popular high school athlete, had been running to keep in shape upcoming high school soccer season.

Other advocates include Joan Papale and her son Mike Papale, now 19, a survivor who suffered sudden cardiac arrest after playing basketball two years ago.

The SCA Foundation urges Connecticut residents and other interested parties to support the bill by contacting committee chairs, Sen. Jonathan Harris (Harris [at] senatedems [dot] ct [dot] gov ) & Rep. Betsy Ritter (Elizabeth [dot] Ritter [at] cga [dot] ct [dot] gov) and members of the Committee, listed here.

The Foundation's newly released You Can Save a Life at School (TM) campaign illustrates the importance of AED placement in schools. For more information, click here.

Other organizations supporting the legislation include the Connecticut Athletic Trainers Association, the Louis Acompora Memorial Foundation, the Hypertropic Cardiomypathy Association, and Parent Heart Watch.

(See attached letter of support from the SCA Foundation.)

UPDATE

The bill was passed by the Public Health Committee and Education Committee.  On April 15th, the bill successfully jumped another hurdle, passing out of the Appropriations Committee.

"With the help of so many, we have built strong support for this important legislation that will save lives," said Sen. Jonathan Harris in a letter of thanks to the SCA Foundation for its support.