July 21, 2009

State orders defibrillators in schools

Press release from state Rep. Bill Hamzy, a Plymouth Republican whose 78th District includes northwestern Bristol:

Rep Hamzy: Measure Requiring Heart Attack Resuscitation Device in Schools Signed into Law

A measure cosponsored by state Representative William A. Hamzy that could mean the difference between life and death for people who suffer heart attacks in a local school building or while attending school-sponsored events has been signed into law by Governor M. Jodi Rell.
The legislation (Public Act 09-94) requires local boards of education (if funding is available) to provide all schools under their jurisdiction with automatic external defibrillators (AEDs). The new law also requires boards of education to ensure all schools have staff trained in the use of the devices and in cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques. In addition, the act allows school boards to accept donated AEDs under certain conditions. It also allows boards to accept gifts, donations, and grants for AED acquisition and staff training costs, said Representative Hamzy, R-78th District.
“Almost all of us have heard or read about people who have suffered heart attacks in school buildings or on school property while attending athletic events or other school-sponsored activities,” Representative Hamzy said. “If the cardiac arrest incident occurred at a school that did not have an automatic external defibrillator on the premises, chances are the victim either died or sustained permanent heart damage.”
“This new law will give people who sustain cardiac arrests on school property a better chance of surviving a potentially fatal heart attack. AEDs save lives and having them on hand in school buildings and at school-sponsored activities that attract large crowds can mean the difference between life and death for heart attack victims,” Representative Hamzy said.
“Another feature of this law that many cash-strapped communities will appreciate is that it does not force local school boards to spend scarce taxpayer dollars to acquire AEDS during economic hard times,” Representative Hamzy said. “It also allows school boards to accept donations, gifts or grants to help them acquire the devices, enabling local schools to comply with the law at a cost taxpayers can afford.”
The law took effect July 1st.


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Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

what does "if funding is available" mean? that is such a wishy washy term. clearly municipalities can get around this by crafty budgeting. this is a public act with no teeth, especially in this economy.
so, let me get this straight: its not an unfunded mandate... its an unfunded strong suggestion? oookay. and we pay our senators and representatives how much to write this stuff?

Anonymous said...

Another good job by Rep. Hamzy. Certainly lives will be saved.

Anonymous said...

Election coming up?

Good idea, thanks for doing it, but a Press Release???

C'mon Bill, keep us informed on the (non)budget first.

Anonymous said...

In addition to having defibrillators available, more people should learn CPR. It is quick (less than 30 minutes)and easy (practice while watching DVD) using the Heart Association's CPR Anytime program.

Go to www.cpranytime.org to learn more.

Anonymous said...

Need them at city hall to wake up the politians and dept heads.

Anonymous said...

maybe Obama will make it mandatory that all US citizens learn CPR - make it part of his Health care overhaul..:-)~

Anonymous said...

6: 58

Thank you for the suggestion. More people should learn CPR.

As far as the press release I would remind people to keep in mind that as a member of the minority, Bill Hamzy's ability to accomplish something stops at his ability to write his name next to the bill title.

On that ability...Good Job!

Anonymous said...

I hear all states are turning to require defibs in all schools. An affordable company we use for AED Training and Certification is www.emergencyuniversity.com. I hope the schools will be getting the proper training to confidently react if a situation should arise.

Anonymous said...

Put signs up saying DEAD END. Pass at your own risk. This is fitting for bristol.