Governor Nixon has signed Senate Bill 711 to equip a new generation of Show-Me State lifesavers; More than 60,000 Missouri students to be newly trained in first year of law’s implementation.
JEFFERSON CITY, MO--Governor Jay Nixon signed Senate Bill 711 (SB 711) today, making Missouri the 34th state to provide lifesaving CPR training in schools. Today’s action by Governor Nixon marks the culmination of five years of work by many dedicated survivors, volunteers and advocates. This legislation has been the centerpiece of the American Heart Association’s policy priorities in the Show-Me State, opening the door for all Missouri students to receive a 30-minute introduction to lifesaving skills at some point during their four years of secondary education. The law will take effect during the 2017-2018 school year, in which more than 60,000 Missouri students will immediately benefit from this lifesaving training.
“The American Heart Association celebrates this important victory and we thank the many survivors, volunteers and collaborating partners for making this moment possible,” said Jace Smith, Senior Government Relations Director for the American Heart Association in Missouri. “Four of every five out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in private or residential settings. CPR training in schools strengthens the cardiac chain of survival by equipping thousands of civilian bystanders to be ready to respond in an emergency. Many lives will be saved because of this legislation.”
SB 711 was sponsored by Senator Dan Brown. An identical bill, House Bill 1643 (HB 1643), was sponsored by Representative Ron Hicks. Both pieces of legislation experienced broad bipartisan support. SB 711 requires schools to provide students instruction in CPR and use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) as part of high school graduation requirements. The training must be administered during a physical education or health class, as part of the Missouri curriculum, allowing schools flexibility in offering the training. The curriculum can be introduced in 30 minutes or less using a ‘practice-while-you-watch’ approach with an inflatable manikin and instructional DVD. The law does not require students to achieve CPR certification, nor is this a “pass/fail” training. The bill simply allows students to understand and become familiar with the basics.
For one key legislative proponent, the effort was especially personal. Representative Ron Hicks used his own CPR training to save the life of a Missourian who collapsed during a visit to the Missouri State Capitol in 2014. As a result of that incredible experience, Representative Hicks vowed to see the law passed during his time of public service and worked diligently to help make it happen.
“I have two children and know that children are our future,” said Representative Hicks. “We teach skills in the classroom to help students be successful in life. This legislation provides an opportunity to do something very special: to equip students with a tool that protects life and impacts generations to come. That’s why this legislation is so important to me.”
For More Information. To learn more, visit www.heart.org/handsonlyCPR.
SOURCE: American Heart Association