SB 1299 establishes a temporary “Stop the Bleed” pilot program within the Arizona Department of Health Services. Under the bill, if sufficient funds are available, the department would purchase bleed control kits and distribute them to school districts that choose to provide Stop the Bleed training and request the kits. Participating districts would receive kits for school nurses after those nurses complete the training.
Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, school districts may implement a Stop the Bleed program in consultation with local law enforcement. The program would require at least one bleed control kit in an easily accessible location in each school, inclusion of the kits in district safety plans, and annual inspection and replacement of expired or missing supplies. The bill defines the required contents of a bleed control kit, including a tourniquet, compression bandage, bleeding control bandage, gloves, marker, scissors, and approved instructional materials.
The bill also appropriates $180,000 from the state general fund for fiscal year 2026-2027 to the Department of Health Services to purchase the kits, and exempts that appropriation from the normal lapse provisions. The program is set to be repealed on December 31, 2029, making it a time-limited pilot rather than a permanent change to state law.
Impact
SB 1299 would add a new, temporary section to Arizona law creating a state-administered school safety and emergency response program focused on hemorrhage control. It would direct the Department of Health Services to procure and distribute kits, allow the department to accept donations for the program, and require participating districts to incorporate the kits into safety planning and maintenance routines. The bill would also create a specific general fund appropriation and exempt it from lapsing, affecting state budgeting and DHS administrative responsibilities rather than imposing a universal mandate on all school districts.
Sentiment
The bill appears to be framed as a school safety measure with a public-health and emergency-response focus, and the available context shows no recorded committee debate or votes. Based on the bill’s structure, the overall tone is supportive of voluntary district participation, training, and preparedness, with the state providing funding and materials to help schools adopt the program. Because there are no transcripts or vote records, there is no documented opposition or formal support in the provided context.
Contention
The main potential points of contention are likely to be the use of state general fund dollars, the extent of state involvement in school safety planning, and whether the program should be voluntary or mandatory. Another possible issue is the reliance on local law enforcement consultation and the operational burden on districts to train staff, maintain kits, and conduct annual inspections. The bill’s temporary nature and pilot structure may reduce controversy, but the appropriation and implementation requirements could still draw scrutiny from fiscal conservatives or districts concerned about administrative costs.
Relating to the authority of the Wood County Central Hospital District of Wood County, Texas, to provide brain and memory care services to residents of the hospital district through the creation and operation of brain and memory health care services districts.